Yellow Door Energy and Actis Acts launch CSR initiative “YDE Lumen30” to bring solar training for 30 youths in South Africa

April 22, 2025 – Johannesburg, South Africa: Yellow Door Energy (“YDE”), the leading renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) for businesses in the Middle East and Africa, and Actis Acts, a charitable organisation under global sustainable infrastructure investor Actis, officially launch Project YDE Lumen30, a corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) initiative in South Africa. “YDE Lumen30” is a creative name developed by the Yellow Door Energy team, reflecting the initiative’s focus on youth empowerment through skills development and training.

YDE Lumen30 consists of two phases. Phase 1 involves the training of 30 qualified youths in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, while Phase 2 provides a solar power plant to a community centre in Alexandra Township at no cost to the centre. The selection process for the trainees has been rigorous, and training begins 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 both honoured and humbled to have the opportunity to give back and make a meaningful impact in communities in the jurisdictions 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 esteemed 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. This initiative is about more than training; it’s about building a sustainable future and unlocking opportunities for our 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’re passionate about investing in a brighter, more sustainable future—not just through energy projects, but by empowering people. Partnering with Yellow Door Energy on the YDE Lumen30 initiative is especially 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 truly make a difference, and we’re proud to be part of it."

Neo Pele, a trainee in the programme, shared his expectations of and excitement about 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 by Actis, which supports charitable activities that create a positive and sustainable impact on 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 from the renewable energy industry.

About Yellow Door Energy

Yellow Door Energy (“YDE”) is an Independent Power Producer (“IPP”) which provides cost-competitive renewable energy solutions to leading energy-intensive users in South Africa and the Middle East. With flexible contract terms in the power purchase agreements (“PPAs”), YDE’s energy experts deliver projects swiftly, safely, and sustainably. Backed by a strong commitment to local empowerment and compliance, YDE is committed to helping large businesses decarbonise their operations, reduce their energy costs and secure their energy supply. The shareholders of Yellow Door Energy are Actis, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and The Arab Energy Fund. www.yellowdoorenergy.com

About Actis Acts

Actis Acts is Actis’ charitable foundation, launched in 2018, as a UK Charitable Incorporated Organisation, to support charitable activities linked to Actis’ investee companies, local charities and humanitarian crises affecting regions where Actis operates.