Fredrik Nathell comes from three generations of electricians – with the next generation already in line. He has over thirty years of experience working with converter stations, mainly within rail traffic in both the private and public sectors, before joining the Baltic Cable team in 2023 as Station Manager in Sweden.
We asked Fredrik a few questions for you to get to know him better:
What is your role as Station Manager at the Swedish station in Kruseberg?
“My role involves both monitoring, planning, maintenance and documentation. Every day at the stations starts with rounding’s and checking all control system reports from the night before to see if anything needs our immediate attention. We then plan and coordinate all future maintenance work, equipment replacement, the revision weeks and monthly rounding’s, together with our subcontractors. The goal is to always be one step ahead – to reassure that Baltic Cable is operational for another 25 years”
What inspired you to pursue a career in the energy industry?
“Both my grandfather and my father worked as electricians and inspired me when I was young. I have always been a problem solver and enjoyed complex tasks. In this industry, you are never fully trained – it evolves so quickly, and there is always a new method or technology to learn, which I really enjoy. Even one of my sons works as an electrician today, so I guess it’s a little bit in the blood.”
What projects are you working on right now?
“Maintenance work is always on the agenda, and in our industry the lead times are long, so we must plan far ahead. Right now, we are reviewing which equipment needs to be replaced in the coming years to plan for procurement processes. This includes both larger primary equipment and smaller secondary equipment.”
What do you enjoy most about your work at Baltic Cable?
“it’s a small and fast-moving organisation where I work closely with both my colleagues and my manager. I also get to combine both the theoretical and practical aspects of working with a converter station, even if I do prefer the more hands-on and operational work that I do out at the station in Kruseberg”
What do you like to do outside of work?
“Family is a big part of my life, so I spend most of my free time with my wife, our children, our grandchildren and our dog Winston. Me and our three sons started paddling canoe many years ago, and it’s something I’ve enjoyed ever since. One of my sons is an Olympic sprint kayaker, and even if I can’t quite keep up with him these days, I really enjoy training alongside him whenever I get the chance. In addition, I’m a youth canoe trainer, which is incredibly rewarding.”
