Blog
Karl works as a Project Manager at Elia
As Belgium’s electricity transmission system operator, Elia ensures a stable and reliable power grid 24 hours a day. The result is one of the most reliable high-voltage grids in Europe, thanks to all the technical experts in the company who give their best every day. Meet Project Manager Karl.
A safe grid 24 hours a day
“Guaranteeing that businesses and consumers can rely on a safe and reliable electricity grid day and night is a lot of work. There are many factors that can affect the efficiency and stability of the grid in Belgium. Ensuring a stable and secure electricity supply is therefore at the very top of Elia’s list of priorities, and I am happy to contribute to that as a Line Project Manager within the Infrastructure Department.”
Range of tasks as a Project Manager
“As Project Manager, I share responsibility for the design, planning and execution of line projects. I handle team coordination, budget management and compliance with technical safety standards. Facilitating communication between internal and external project partners also falls within my remit. This way, we guarantee that projects are completed within the set deadlines.
“In line projects, there are several possible scenarios. A project may involve laying a new line, boosting existing capacity, strengthening infrastructure or constructing an underground route. That wide range of possible tasks means that my job is very varied and fascinating. Every day is different.”
Wide range of skills
“As I manage colleagues and external partners, including contractors and technical experts, my job requires specific skills. Teamwork and communication are certainly at the top of the list here; after all, good communication and leadership skills are essential to being able to coordinate teams and foster cooperation. Project management skills are also indispensable, in order to skilfully manage the planning and execution of complex electrical line projects. And, of course, the necessary technical expertise is key to ensuring that all projects go ahead in safe conditions.
“It is also important to give other people enough confidence in performing their tasks. I myself, as Project Manager, take responsibility for solving any difficulties that arise during a project.”
Lifelong learning
“To keep doing my job well, I constantly update my knowledge, in terms of both technology and interpersonal skills, by attending in-house training courses. Elia is also a top employer in this area, rolling out numerous excellent training programmes for employees in all departments. I appreciate this culture of lifelong learning because it gives me the opportunity to do my job competently as well as keep challenging myself professionally. Alongside training courses, I also hone my knowledge through self-study and contact with colleagues and external partners.”
Social impact
For Karl, working at Elia is more than just a routine job. “It feels good to be able to work, based on values like sustainability and innovation, in a company that plays an important social role in a vital sector like energy supply. At Elia, we ensure that businesses grow and consumers live comfortably. That added value to society really appeals to me. And knowing that we have a very stable electricity grid in Belgium is really the icing on the cake!”
