The Association for Energy Performance and Verification (AEPV) was founded to address a critical challenge in the UK’s energy landscape: delivering energy performance that is measurable, reliable, and impactful. As the UK accelerates toward ambitious net-zero and sustainability targets, Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) have emerged as a powerful mechanism to ensure these goals are met with accountability and transparency. AEPV’s mission is to champion EPCs as a cornerstone of energy performance improvement while ensuring that robust Measurement and Verification (M&V) practices provide the transparency needed for success.
Our Ethos
At AEPV, we believe that achieving meaningful energy performance requires more than ambition—it demands rigorous planning, execution, and verification. EPCs, when paired with robust M&V, provide a results-oriented framework where energy savings, operational improvements, and sustainability goals are seamlessly integrated. Our ethos centers on collaboration, innovation, and integrity, fostering an environment where stakeholders trust that every claim of performance improvement is backed by evidence and aligned with long-term environmental and financial goals.
Our Team
Robin Hale
Director
Robin is a seasoned leader in the UK energy sector, dedicated to helping businesses and professionals navigate energy performance, efficiency, and sustainability. As Director of AEPV, he’s committed to strengthening professional training, promoting best practices in energy performance contracting (EPC), and ensuring that measurement and verification (M&V) remain at the heart of energy savings initiatives.
With decades of experience in industry leadership, Robin has worked closely with major energy users, service providers, and policymakers to support cost management, compliance, and sustainable energy strategies. He is also currently Chief Executive of the Major Energy Users’ Council (MEUC), where he represents some of the UK’s largest energy consumers, helping them tackle market challenges and policy shifts. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA), where he championed energy efficiency services and industry collaboration. Whether facilitating discussions, advocating for better policies, or developing training initiatives, Robin’s focus is always on bringing people together to make a measurable impact.
What he’s great at: Connecting people, making energy performance practical, and ensuring businesses get real value from energy efficiency.
His philosophy: “Collaboration is key. The best solutions come from bringing the right people together and focusing on real, measurable outcomes.”
Denise Shepherd
Training and Events Director
Denise is a dedicated advocate for professional training and industry development in the UK energy sector. As Training and Events Director at AEPV, she ensures that energy professionals have access to high-quality certification programs, training courses, and events that help them stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Denise has been instrumental in delivering industry-recognised training programs. She previously spent more than 20 years at the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA), where she played a key role in administering specialist certifications and training courses. This included supporting the rollout of Performance Measurement and Verification Analyst (PMVA) training and the Energy Conscious Organisation (EnCO) initiative. She is passionate about helping professionals access the right training, resources, and opportunities to grow their expertise. Whether she’s coordinating industry events, managing certification programs, or supporting AEPV’s expanding training pathways, her focus is always on delivering a seamless learning experience for the energy sector.
What she’s great at: Organising top-tier training programs, ensuring events run smoothly, and helping professionals access the knowledge they need.
Her philosophy: “Training and development should be accessible, relevant, and practical. I take pride in helping energy professionals gain the skills they need to drive real change.”
Why We Created AEPV
EPCs represent a shift from traditional energy management approaches by combining financial innovation with technical expertise. They enable stakeholders to achieve energy and cost savings while reducing carbon emissions, often without upfront capital investment. However, their success relies on accurate performance measurement and a shared understanding among all parties.
AEPV was established to lead this conversation in the UK, providing thought leadership, resources, and a network to advance the adoption and refinement of EPCs. By supporting professionals and organisations with the tools and knowledge to implement EPCs effectively, we bridge the gap between energy-saving ambitions and verified outcomes. In doing so, we help unlock the full potential of energy efficiency, renewable integration, and operational performance improvements, contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation strategy.
AEPV represents the next chapter in the UK’s journey toward energy performance excellence. Building on a foundation established by key figures and organisations dedicated to advancing Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), AEPV integrates best practices with innovative tools, certifications, and resources to meet the challenges of today’s energy landscape.
What Makes EPCs Unique
EPCs encompass a holistic and adaptable approach to energy performance. While commonly associated with external Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), EPC frameworks are also invaluable for internal energy projects managed by in-house teams. By adopting EPC principles, organisations can deliver measurable improvements in energy savings and sustainability across any project. Key features include:
- Renewable Energy Integration: Incorporating sustainable energy solutions such as solar, wind, or biomass to complement efficiency measures.
- Operational Enhancements: Improving building and system performance through advanced controls, automation, and maintenance.
- Energy Efficiency: Optimising systems and technologies to reduce energy consumption without compromising functionality.
- Cost Optimisation: Achieving financial savings through energy demand management, utility cost reductions, and peak load adjustments.
- Carbon and Sustainability Goals: Supporting net-zero strategies by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving overall environmental performance.
By linking financial outcomes directly to performance, EPCs offer a compelling model that drives tangible and sustainable results.
The Role of Independent Verification
Independent verification plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), the globally recognised standard for accurately measuring and verifying energy savings. By separating the verification process from the EPC implementation, whether through a qualified in-house expert or external specialist, organisations can uphold the objectivity required for IPMVP adherence. This ensures that energy performance outcomes are measured transparently and consistently, fostering trust among stakeholders and strengthening the integrity of EPC frameworks. AEPV champions independent verification as a core component of achieving reliable and demonstrable energy savings within the IPMVP framework.
Who We Serve
AEPV is a hub for the professionals and organisations driving energy performance innovation in the UK. We support:
- Energy Service Companies (ESCOs): Helping implement performance-based contracts with measurable and verifiable outcomes.
- Engineers and Technical Experts: Offering a collaborative platform for innovation in energy-saving and renewable technologies.
- Legal Professionals and Advisors: Offering expertise to ensure EPCs are structured, compliant, and effectively managed.
- Facility Managers and Building Owners: Providing guidance for implementing EPCs that deliver measurable energy and cost savings.
- Independent M&V Specialists: Providing impartial and rigorous verification of energy savings to uphold accountability and performance standards.
- Investors and Financiers: Offering assurance through proven, reliable energy performance metrics that ensure return on investment.
- Policymakers and Regulators: Supporting the development of frameworks that promote transparency, sustainability, and performance accountability.
By connecting these stakeholders, AEPV fosters an ecosystem where EPCs thrive and drive transformative energy solutions.
The Difference We Make
At AEPV, we are committed to shaping the future of energy performance in the UK. The difference we aim to make is threefold:
- Raising Standards in Energy Verification: By promoting and standardising best practices in M&V, AEPV ensures that energy savings are not just estimated but proven. This is crucial for building trust among clients, contractors, and investors, ultimately leading to a more resilient and efficient energy market.
- Supporting Sustainability Goals: Through our work, we help ensure that energy efficiency projects deliver real, lasting benefits. By verifying energy performance improvements, we contribute to the UK’s carbon reduction targets and the broader fight against climate change.
- Empowering Professionals: AEPV empowers energy professionals with the tools, knowledge, and certifications they need to excel in their field. By fostering a community of experts committed to excellence, we enable the sector to grow and innovate, delivering verified results that contribute to a sustainable future.
Our Vision for the Future
We envision a future where EPCs are the standard for energy performance projects, delivering measurable and lasting benefits for stakeholders across the UK. M&V will remain integral to this vision, providing the transparency needed to inspire confidence and innovation. As the energy landscape evolves, AEPV will continue to lead by equipping members with the tools, insights, and connections to navigate this dynamic environment.
Join Us in Leading the Way
AEPV invites energy professionals, service providers, policymakers, and investors to join us in advancing the EPC model and the transformative potential of verifiable energy performance. Together, we can build a future where energy efficiency and sustainability goals are achieved with accountability and lasting impact.
