3 April 2013: The Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) has announced it is accepting nominations for the first round of its Outstanding Off-Grid Product Awards, which will cover six categories of affordable, super-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) room lighting appliances.

Caroline McGregor , Department of Energy, highlights that “Solving energy poverty is a critical path to economic development. Raising the efficiency of appliances on the market will help those off-grid households and businesses do more with the limited power they may have available.” LEDs are considered higher quality and better priced products, and compared to compact fluorescents (CFLs) and incandescent lamps use, respectively, 50% and 90% less energy.

The winning products will be announced at an international CEM ceremony in 2014 and will also be included in the Outstanding Off-Grid Products procurement guide for bulk purchasers. The products will further be able to use an Awards logo as a marketing tool.

The CEM works to reduce emissions, improve energy security, provide energy access, and sustain economic growth by increasing the deployment of clean energy. [CEM Press Release] [Global LEAP Awards Website]