The Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP™) Outstanding Off-Grid Appliance Awards Competition (Global LEAP Awards™) seeks to transform the global market for off-grid energy products by recognizing and rewarding the most energy-efficient, highest quality off-grid appliances. As a Clean Energy Ministerial initiative, Global LEAP seeks to advance global clean energy access policy goals by harnessing the power of marketplace competition to drive technical and market innovations in the off-grid appliance sector.

The inaugural Global LEAP Awards were announced in May 2014 at the 5th Clean Energy Ministerial in Seoul, Korea. This competition recognized high quality, energy-efficient, and affordable electric fans that are appropriate for use with off-grid energy systems. Fans are frequently in high demand in un- and under-electrified regions where distributed energy systems are used. However, fans present significant technical challenges to off-grid energy systems since their operation can be energy-intensive, and they can quickly deplete off-grid energy systems’ limited energy supply. By extending run times, leaving more electricity for other uses, and reducing energy supply costs, quality-assured, energy-efficient off-grid fans can optimize energy access benefits. The awards will enhance buyers’ ability to differentiate and choose among products on the basis of their energy efficiency and quality.