# Stephen Fernands

> Stephen Fernands is the founder, president and CEO of Customized Energy Solutions, the Philadelphia energy software, consulting and operations company he founded in 1998. His career connects competitive electricity markets, international expansion and productive uses of clean energy through CES CARES. He lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and serves as treasurer of Seeds of Hope Ministries.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at Customized Energy Solutions
- **Organizations:** Customized Energy Solutions, CES CARES, Seeds of Hope Ministries, India Energy Storage Alliance, Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania (former board member)
- **Education:** BS in Economics, Pennsylvania State University, MBA in Finance, Drexel University, Missionary training; degree not specified, Moody Bible Institute
- **Known for:** Founded CES and led its expansion from a one-person consultancy to an international software and services business., CES’s 2023 anniversary announcement reported more than 330 people and monitoring and control of over 300 US generation assets., The February 2026 Energy Insider episode described CES as having over 360 employees and managing about 500 assets totaling 30 GW.

## Career timeline

- **By age 16** — Owned and operated a tourist bicycle rental business on Cape Cod, according to Rochelle Fernands.
- **1992** — Completed Penn State studies; subsequently attended Moody Bible Institute.
- **1997-1998** — Worked as a PECO contract employee on retail electricity choice.
- **1998** — Founded Customized Energy Solutions in Philadelphia.
- **2007** — CES established its 24/7 Market Operations Center.
- **2010** — CES opened its Pune office; Fernands moved to India with his family for a year.
- **2012** — CES began the India Energy Storage Alliance.
- **2023** — CES marked 25 years and reported more than 330 people worldwide.
- **2026** — Appeared on Episode 11 of The Energy Insider to discuss competitive markets, CES CARES and career advice.

## Achievements

- Founded CES and led its expansion from a one-person consultancy to an international software and services business.
- CES’s 2023 anniversary announcement reported more than 330 people and monitoring and control of over 300 US generation assets.
- The February 2026 Energy Insider episode described CES as having over 360 employees and managing about 500 assets totaling 30 GW.
- Led CES’s expansion into India, including a family relocation to Pune in 2010.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — The Energy Insider published Episode 11 with Fernands on February 2, covering CES growth, microgrids, CES CARES and support for 80 entrepreneurs in Zambia.
- **2025-10** — Was announced as moderator of an October 28 Energy Marketing Conference panel on community choice aggregation and municipal aggregation.

## Links

- Website: https://ces-ltd.com/expert/stephen-fernands/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-fernands-1a6a159

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/stephen-fernands
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26