Welcoming the new Head of Energy-Related Products
Stephen Cummins joins as the new Head of Energy-Related Products at DESNZ
We welcome Stephen Cummins as the new Head of Energy-Related Products at the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). With his extensive experience at the heart of the Government’s industrial decarbonisation strategy, he’s now taking a leadership role in the ETL scheme.
Stephen joins us at an exciting time for the ETL, with new additions, changes and listings capping off a strong year. With more on the horizon, we sat down to talk to Stephen about his role, what excites him most about the scheme, and where 2024 will take us.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what attracted you to the role?
“I’ve got over 20 years of experience working across multiple government departments and I recently moved from another role within DESNZ, where I focused on industrial decarbonisation policy. Although it is a different area, it aligns with the organisation’s work on promoting energy efficiency and supporting the goal of achieving net zero emissions.
What attracted me to this role is the opportunity to work on something that has a tangible impact on people's lives and businesses. I'm really passionate about translating policy into outcomes that work and, in the past, I’ve developed policy that used a mixture of levers to achieve policy outcomes. The connection to the bigger picture of both Energy Security and Net Zero is clear – energy-related products account for 55% of the UK's non-transport energy use, and by making them more energy efficient, we can significantly reduce the country's overall energy footprint.
I am also excited about leading a great team here in DESNZ, and the opportunity to collaborate with new partners in business and the wider manufacturing sector.”
You’re joining at an exciting time for the ETL, what are some of the highlights from the past year of the scheme that stood out to you?
“For me, it’s exciting to see the scheme constantly expanding. Over the past year, the ETL has added numerous new technologies to its portfolio – like Battery and Thermal Energy Storage – showcasing the ETL's commitment to staying at the forefront of innovative energy-saving solutions.
The ETL is one of the top 75 most used Government services. It is genuinely a world-leading resource and a good example of where Government can, and does, make a positive impact. With a wide range of products designed to help users save energy and money, it’s great to see the ETL making such significant strides in promoting energy efficiency.
The ETL also plays a crucial role in the delivery of the Government's Net Zero agenda and its impact in terms of energy and carbon savings is substantial, making it an invaluable resource. It directly contributes to the Energy-Related Products policy and provides essential information for wider Government policies aimed at increasing businesses' energy efficiency and the deployment of low-carbon technologies.”
"The ETL is one of the top 75 most used Government services. It is genuinely a world-leading resource and a good example of where Government can, and does, make a positive impact."
What are you most looking forward to achieving with the ETL in 2024?
“The ETL will continue to focus on enhancing its effectiveness and value in 2024, and there are three key activities I’d pick out that we have planned for the future.
First, the delivery of a new-look ETL website that enhances the overall user experience. The website must remain fit for purpose, ensuring a user-friendly experience. It is being launched in early 2024, and I am looking forward to users seeing the improvements and the value it brings.
Second, I hope that the ETL will retain its role as a procurement tool and expand its reach as a low-carbon procurement solution. This will position the ETL as a crucial enabler of the transition to energy efficiency, highlighting its role in achieving sustainability goals.
Finally, the ETL team will continue to engage with stakeholders, including at events, to facilitate dialogue and collaboration with industry partners – ensuring the ETL's relevance and effectiveness in driving energy efficiency.”
"If you’re in the market for energy-saving technology, you can trust the ETL as an independent resource. The ETL is not biased toward promoting specific products, it’s subject to scrutiny, adheres to high standards, and doesn’t have a profit motive for itself."
Any final comments for our readers?
“DESNZ is committed to the Energy Technology List and recognises the value of the ETL as an important energy efficiency resource.
If you’re in the market for energy-saving technology, you can trust the ETL as an independent resource. The ETL is not biased toward promoting specific products, it’s subject to scrutiny, adheres to high standards, and doesn’t have a profit motive for itself.
Participating in the ETL is also worthwhile for manufacturers. It doesn't cost anything to apply to get listed, and they are likely to already have the required documentation available. This is a message we’ll be spreading when we’re out and about speaking to companies in 2024.”
Thank you Stephen, welcome aboard
It’s an exciting time for the ETL and you won’t want to miss what we have coming up in 2024. To make sure you don’t miss the launch of our website refresh or anything else Stephen talked about in this article, be sure to sign up for our monthly updates and insights.
Are you in the market for energy efficient technology, or are you a manufacturer ready to apply for accreditation? Purchasers can browse the ETL here, and manufacturers can gain independent verification by registering for application today.
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