The process that is directly driven by light energy is the removal of electrons from chlorophyll molecules.
When light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, it excites electrons, which are then emitted from the chlorophyll molecules. This phenomenon is the initial step in photosynthesis, specifically during the light-dependent reactions. The excited electrons are transferred through a series of proteins in the thylakoid membrane, leading to various processes, such as the creation of a proton gradient and the formation of NADPH. While other processes mentioned, like the creation of a proton gradient and the reduction of NADP+, are driven indirectly by the initial light energy absorbed, the direct action is the removal of electrons from chlorophyll itself.