Yellow Door Energy (YDE), a leading renewable energy independent power producer in the Middle East and Africa, in partnership with Actis Acts—the charitable arm of global sustainable infrastructure investor Actis—has officially launched “Project YDE Lumen30,” a landmark corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at youth empowerment and energy access in South Africa.

The programme, creatively named by the Yellow Door Energy team, focuses on equipping young South Africans with practical skills in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, while simultaneously enhancing energy resilience in under-resourced communities.

Structured in Two Phases
The YDE Lumen30 initiative is structured in two phases. Phase 1 will see 30 selected youth from Alexandra Township undergo training in solar PV systems. Training begins in April 2025 and will run for three months at the ENS Pro Bono offices in Alexandra. The programme is managed by DevRani Consult, an economic development advisory firm, and implemented by the non-profit Unnati Training Academy.

Following completion, trainees will take a final technical examination to assess their readiness for the renewable energy sector. In Phase 2, Yellow Door Energy will install a solar power plant at a community centre in Alexandra Township, fully funded and provided at no cost.

A Joint Effort to Tackle Youth Unemployment and Energy Insecurity
The initiative is co-funded by Yellow Door Energy and Actis Acts. As the majority shareholder in Yellow Door Energy, Actis continues to support high-impact social projects across its markets. The YDE Lumen30 project responds to two major challenges in South Africa: high youth unemployment and energy insecurity in underserved areas.

“For us at Actis Acts, this is more than just a CSR programme—it’s about giving 30 young individuals the opportunity to build a sustainable career while advancing the clean energy transition,” said Brian Chinappi, Chairman of Actis Acts and Head of Real Estate at Actis. “It’s initiatives like YDE Lumen30 that leave a lasting mark on people and communities.”

Voices from the Ground
“For us at DevRani Consult, this project represents meaningful socio-economic transformation,” said Ugeshree Thakurpersad, Founder and CEO. “It’s about more than skills training—it’s about unlocking real opportunities for our youth to shape the future of energy.”

Participants, too, expressed enthusiasm. Neo Pele, a trainee in the programme, said, “The YDE Lumen30 initiative is helping me connect my engineering background to the energy sector. I’m excited to meet industry leaders and bring this knowledge back to uplift my community.”

Forbes Padayachee, CEO of Yellow Door Energy South Africa, added: “YDE Lumen30 is our flagship CSR initiative in South Africa. We are honoured to address the dual challenges of youth unemployment and energy resilience. Today’s launch marks a significant step in our journey to uplift communities where we operate.”

Through YDE Lumen30, Yellow Door Energy and Actis Acts are investing in more than infrastructure—they are building human capital, empowering communities, and driving inclusive growth across the renewable energy sector.