Two Careers, One Passion – Erik on Life as an Engineer and Elite Athlete

Erik Östling is passionate about both elite sports and energy projects and has managed to balance a career as an energy engineer at Amokabel with his handball career. We sat down with him for a conversation!

Hi Erik!

Great to talk to you today! How are you?

“It’s good! I’ve recharged my batteries with a break from both work and handball and I’m feeling inspired for the spring season.”

What are your main responsibilities, and what does a typical workday at Amokabel look like?

“A large part of my role involves project management of our energy projects. My main task is completing the hydrogen facility in Älghult.

Other projects include commissioning the large battery storage system next to the factory, the third stage of rooftop solar panels, fast charging for heavy vehicles combined with battery storage in Älghult, expanding our electricity grid subscriptions, and connecting electricity from the hydropower plant at Alstermo Bruk to the factory.

This means a lot of contact with suppliers involved in the different projects, as well as continuous dialogue with E.ON and Vattenfall. A few days each month I also work practically with the hydrogen facility in Älghult, compressing and refueling hydrogen.”

Which words best capture the feeling of Amokabel as a workplace?

“Drive and forward momentum.”

Is there something that motivates you or gives you an extra boost in your work?

“I’m truly passionate about the role hydrogen will play in the transition of Sweden’s and the world’s energy systems.

I want to contribute to transitioning all energy use to renewable energy sources, primarily through electrification. Batteries will play a big role, but a single solution won’t be enough to transform society.

Industries and heavy transport such as trucks, ships, and aircraft are good examples of this. I’m passionate about contributing to the growth of hydrogen in society.”

Are there any projects you’re particularly excited about?

“The hydrogen production in Älghult is definitely what I’m most passionate about. We are among the first in Sweden to produce hydrogen, which puts us in a very exciting position.”

How do you handle challenges that arise at work?

“Without challenges, life isn’t very fun. The most frustrating thing is probably the slow processes within the electricity sector, especially when it comes to getting permits to both consume and produce more electricity.

I try to speed up the process by pushing the stakeholders involved, but sometimes you just have to accept that certain things take time.”

What makes you enjoy working at Amokabel?

“Being able to work on exciting energy projects that aren’t just future plans — they are happening right now. We are making a difference today.

I also value the opportunity to lead projects that I’m personally passionate about.”

You’re also a handball player in Amo HK – how do you balance work and elite-level sports?

“It can be challenging at times. But I’m privileged to have the opportunity to work part-time, which is a great combination.

I get restless quickly, so for me it’s perfect to stay busy with exciting things! Because I don’t work full-time, I rarely have to wake up early after long away games, which is important for recovery.

The biggest challenge is that I can’t always be flexible in working hours. I can’t limit myself to fixed hours when 90% of my work depends on meetings and dialogue with people who have busy calendars.”

Do you have any routines or tricks to keep your energy and well-being at their best?

“That’s a good question! It’s a challenge to always stay at your best.

I get a lot for free from our regular handball training sessions. Exercise does wonders for me — problems that felt big before training suddenly feel irrelevant afterward.

Sleep and nutrition are of course important parts of the bigger picture. But I’m humble about the fact that it may become more difficult after my handball career.”

Thank you so much, Erik!

It’s been great hearing about your journey at Amokabel and how you balance both career and handball. Finally, what would you say to someone considering applying for a job at Amokabel?

“If you’re attracted by short decision-making paths and the opportunity to influence your work, then I definitely think you should explore the opportunities with us.”

Thank you again, Erik, and good luck with both work and the handball season!

Name: Erik Östling
Age: 30
Role: Energy Engineer
Lives in: Växjö
Leisure interests: Handball and sports in general, traveling, golf, and hydrogen!
Future dreams: “I’m already living my dream life by combining professional handball with an exciting energy-focused career.”