Developer FAQ

DREEF is the Distributed Renewable Energy Enhancement Facility, a specialized platform that helps developers prepare renewable energy projects into investment-grade transactions. DREEF provides technical, financial, legal, ESG, productive use, and procurement support to ensure projects are ready for financing by commercial lenders like InfraCredit.

DREEF operates upstream of lenders. Developers work with DREEF to prepare, structure, and strengthen their projects so that by the time they are submitted to commercial credit providers like InfraCredit, they meet all investment-grade standards. In short: DREEF helps you get ready, and the lenders provide the financing.

DREEF supports mini-grids (isolated and interconnected), mesh grids, commercial & industrial solar systems, solar-as-a-service (households, SMEs, towers), productive use of energy solutions, battery-as-a-service, e-mobility (2W, 3W), and stand-alone solar systems.

Eligible developers should demonstrate a track record in renewable energy, have paying customers or pilot sites, show capacity to co-finance or raise equity, and be committed to strong governance, ESG standards, and transparency.

You can apply through a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form on DREEF’s website. Our team will then review your submission and guide you through the next steps (completion of Letter of Intent) within 48 hrs. Our team can also be contacted via pmt@dreef.org

DREEF’s sweet spot is Early-Stage-Plus to Mid-Stage. This means your project should already have some groundwork done (site identified, preliminary feasibility or demand data, exclusivity agreement executed, early permits in progress), but still requires structuring to become investment-grade.

If your project is too early (concept-only), DREEF may provide guidance but will not take it into the pipeline until basic groundwork is complete. If your project is already fully bankable, you may proceed directly to lenders.

Once you submit your EOI, DREEF will review your eligibility and classify your project stage within 48 hrs. If suitable, we will proceed to sign a Joint Development Agreement (JDA).

The JDA formalizes the partnership between the developer and DREEF. It sets out the deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities, ensuring both sides are aligned on producing investment-grade outputs.

DREEF works collaboratively with developers. Developers provide data and inputs with DREEF’s PMT team validating or obtaining data where required and in agreement with the developers, while DREEF’s PMT team—finance, technical, legal, ESG, PUE, and procurement—helps shape these into bankable outputs using the DRELT toolkit.

Developers are responsible for providing accurate data, engaging stakeholders, securing initial permits, and committing resources. DREEF’s role is to strengthen and structure these into investment-grade outputs.

On average, projects that pass eligibility and stage gate reviews can move from preparation to submission to lenders within 2–3 months, with the goal of reaching financial close in no more than 90 days once with lenders.

Key deliverables include feasibility validation, financial model, business plan, technical due diligence, draft contracts, ESG/DI frameworks, procurement benchmarks, and a complete Investment-Grade Pack.

It means that your project meets the standards commercial lenders like InfraCredit require: robust technical design, proven demand, sound contracts, ESG compliance, strong financial ratios (DSCR, IRR, LLCR), and risk mitigations such as reserves or guarantees.

The DRELT is a suite of standardized templates, models, and checklists used by DREEF. DRELT integrates the developers preparation process with the due diligence and credit experience gathered from commercial lenders such as InfraCredit to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with lender requirements across all projects.

No, DREEF does not finance projects directly. Instead, it prepares projects so they can successfully access financing from commercial lenders like InfraCredit.

After DREEF completes project preparation and the project passes the Stage Gate Review, it is submitted to commercial lenders like InfraCredit. They then conduct their own due diligence, approve the project, and issue guarantees or financing.

It is a formal quality control process where DREEF’s team checks that all outputs are complete, consistent, and aligned with lender checklists before submission. This protects DREEF’s credibility and reduces delays.

Yes, but the costs are structured for recovery. DREEF often fronts development costs with the expectation of reimbursement or recovery at financial close.

Developers must provide accurate data, equity commitments, and timely cooperation. They must also share risks and responsibilities as outlined in the JDA.

If a developer fails to deliver their responsibilities, DREEF may pause support, terminate the JDA, or reallocate resources to other projects in the pipeline.

Typically 2–3 months, depending on the readiness of the project and responsiveness of the developer.

Once a project is submitted to lenders, the goal is to reach financial close within 90 days.

You will receive feedback and guidance on what gaps must be addressed. The project can be resubmitted once the issues are resolved.

The project moves into construction and operation. DREEF may continue to support monitoring and evaluation.

Yes, monitoring is part of DREEF’s mandate to ensure that projects deliver the expected outcomes and impact.

Developers are expected to provide data on implementation progress, financial performance, and development impact indicators such as jobs, gender, and GHG reduction.

DREEF accelerates bankability, reduces rework, and helps developers secure financing faster.

DREEF’s expertise and toolkits reduce delays and ensure projects are submitted to lenders in the exact format they require.

By providing parallel-track execution, standard templates, and expert support, DREEF helps developers avoid costly mistakes and speeds up financial close.

Begin by checking the eligibility criteria on the website and submitting an Expression of Interest form.

You can reach out to the DREEF team via the contact form or email listed on the website.

These are available on the DREEF website under the ‘For Developers’ section.