Supervisory Panel of Experts Member
Dr. Karl-Heinz Nagel Civil Engineer and Geologist

Dr. Karl Heinz Nagel is recognized globally as a leading geologist and civil engineer, with over four decades of expertise in geology, hydropower, and renewable energy. He earned his PhD in Geology and Natural Sciences from the prestigious Technical University of Berlin, which laid the foundation for a career rich in both practical engineering and innovative geological research. His academic background is marked by a commitment to integrating geology with large-scale engineering projects, focusing on sustainable energy solutions and advanced methods in underground construction.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Nagel has specialized in hydropower infrastructure, renewable energy storage, and complex underground works. He has overseen every stage of project development, from initial design through to construction supervision, and has contributed to creating resilient hydraulic bypass systems and regulatory structures essential to hydroelectric power plants. With particular expertise in tunnels and underground structures, he has worked on some of the world’s most challenging projects, leveraging his geotechnical acumen to anticipate and mitigate geological risks associated with construction in diverse and geologically complex environments, such as the Andes, Himalayas, and the European Alps.

In leadership, Dr. Nagel has held influential executive positions with leading engineering firms such as Lahmeyer International, Fichtner, and Elektrowatt (now AFRY). Over his career, he directed the design and construction of approximately 13,800 MW of hydropower capacity and managed over 900 kilometers of tunnels. These projects, spanning continents and demanding environments, solidified his reputation for skillful management and technical insight in both hydraulic and geotechnical engineering. Recognizing a need for specialized expertise in Latin America, Dr. Nagel transitioned from executive roles to entrepreneurial ventures, founding LatinSwissHydro S.A.C. (Now LSH Consulting Engineers) in Peru in the early 2000s. This venture marked his strategic commitment to hydroelectric development in South America, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure solutions.
In the academic and research sphere, Dr. Nagel has significantly contributed to geology and engineering literature. His research includes influential studies, such as his examination of the geological constraints in constructing the Samanalawewa pressure tunnel in Sri Lanka, which explored the precision limits of geological predictions in high-stakes engineering. His work on the tectonic processes related to Pangea’s fragmentation and rift formation provided insights into the geotechnical possibilities for energy storage within geological formations. In another key study, he employed 3D modeling to analyze the tectonic evolution of the Lake Victoria Basin alongside the East African Rift system, underscoring the dynamic interactions in these geological processes.
Dr. Nagel’s contributions reflect a rare integration of applied engineering knowledge and deep geological insight, making him an influential figure in hydropower, renewable energy, and underground infrastructure development. His career has not only advanced practical solutions for complex engineering challenges but has also enriched the scientific understanding of geological processes in large-scale construction. Through his work, Dr. Nagel continues to push the boundaries of sustainable engineering and geotechnical innovation.