Yellow Door Energy (YDE), a leading renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) for businesses in the Middle East and Africa, and Actis Acts, a charitable organisation operating under global sustainable infrastructure investor Actis, recently launched Project YDE Lumen30, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in South Africa. The name, YDE Lumen30, reflects the initiative’s focus on youth empowerment through skills development and training.
Recently launched at ENS offices in Alexandra, YDE Lumen30 will train 30 selected youth in PV technology.
YDE Lumen30 has two phases. Phase 1 involves the training of 30 qualified youths in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, and Phase 2 will provide a solar power plant to a community centre in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, at no cost to the centre. The selection process for the trainees has been rigorous, and training began in April 2025. The training, project managed by Economic Development advisory firm DevRani Consult and implemented by non-profit Unnati Training Academy, will run for three months at the ENS Pro Bono office in Alexandra, after which participants will undergo a comprehensive exam to assess their technical knowledge.
Forbes Padayachee, CEO of Yellow Door Energy South Africa, said, “YDE Lumen30 is our flagship CSR initiative in South Africa, and we are honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to ‘give back’ and make a meaningful impact in communities in the areas where we operate. This project addresses the unemployment challenge facing youth in Johannesburg and tackles the energy resilience issues affecting South African townships. Today, we are proud to launch Phase 1 of the initiative alongside our partners.”
Ugeshree Thakurpersad, Founder and CEO of DevRani Consult, said, “As the project manager for YDE Lumen30, we are delighted to partner with Yellow Door Energy to drive meaningful socio-economic transformation through this project. Beyond training, this initiative is about building a sustainable future and unlocking opportunities for the youth to shape the energy landscape of tomorrow.”
Brian Chinappi, Chairman of Actis Acts and Head of Real Estate at Actis, said, "At Actis Acts, we look to invest in a brighter, more sustainable future – through energy projects and by empowering people. Partnering with Yellow Door Energy on the YDE Lumen30 initiative is exciting because it’s about real impact. We’re giving 30 young individuals the skills and opportunities to build a future in the renewable energy sector, helping them take charge of their careers while contributing to the clean energy transition. It’s initiatives like these that make a difference, and we’re proud to be part of it."
Neo Pele, a trainee in the programme, shared his expectations of the initiative: “The YDE Lumen30 initiative is helping me connect my engineering background with the energy space. I’m excited to learn, meet people in the industry, and bring those insights to my community to make a real impact.”
The project is co-funded by Yellow Door Energy and Actis Acts, a foundation of Actis, which supports charitable activities that create a positive and sustainable impact in communities. Actis is a majority shareholder of Yellow Door Energy, and the project addresses the challenges of youth employment and energy security in South Africa. At the end of YDE Lumen30, the project will connect the trainees with specialised and experienced mentors in the renewable energy industry.
For more information visit: www.yellowdoorenergy.com
