What would you do if your business had more than R$1,100 left over in cash?

Managing a business means racing against time every day: your attention needs to be on production, customers, bills… and on energy, which represents a significant cost in a large portion of companies’ budgets. 

Most business owners know that energy is an expensive resource. The real issue is: there’s not enough time to make a safe and accurate decision regarding savings, right? And the numbers reinforce this reality: 

Data from the Sebrae Energy Program, collected through a diagnostic assessment conducted with more than 1,200 entrepreneurs since April 2023, reveal a paradox: although 79% of small business owners recognize the importance of energy management, 54.7% still haven’t implemented any internal plan or policy to reduce consumption. See the full study here. 

With the goal of simplifying these decisions around energy savings, in this text we will explore key points of the Subscription Energy (DG) model, a Shell Energy solution we offer to business consumers. 

What is the profile of a company that can use Subscription Energy (DG)? 

Subscription Energy (DG) is designed for businesses served in low-voltage connections, or customers who receive energy through the conventional model on standard distribution networks (they do not need a minimum demand or be part of the high-voltage group). 

These are typically businesses that spend between R$1,000 and R$9,000 per month on electricity. You will usually find these companies in segments such as: 

• Bakeries 

• Supermarkets  

• Restaurants and pizzerias 

• Clothing, footwear, and accessories shops 

• Drugstores 

• Gyms 

• Beauty salons and aesthetic clinics 

• Accounting, law, or consulting offices 

• Schools and training centers 

• Auto repair shops
  

In other words, businesses that pay for electricity every day and want to reduce costs without needing construction work or investing in equipment. This is essentially the ideal profile for Subscription Energy (DG). 

Is this a reliable model? Why? 

This model may raise some doubts simply because it seems “too good to be true”. And today, with the rise of digital scams, being cautious with your information is more important than ever. 

Still, it’s essential to clarify that Subscription Energy (DG) is a regulated and secure model. 

It operates through shared generation, which is established under ANEEL’s Normative Resolution 687 (Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency).

How it works

You continue receiving energy from the same local distributor (nothing changes in your physical structure) but you receive renewable energy credits (from sources like solar or small hydropower plants), which reduce your electricity bill. 

Your contract is backed by ANEEL regulations, which oversee and monitor the sector to ensure safety for both generators and consumers. 

However, it’s important that you trust the provider and research its experience in the energy market. This helps you better understand contract details and how the service operates. 

How do companies that offer this service make money? 

At Prime Energy, we offer Shell Energy’s Subscription Energy (DG) service to business consumers in Brazil. 

Generally speaking, companies that offer Subscription Energy (DG) build or manage renewable power plants and sell energy credits to multiple clients. 

They profit because they can generate or operate renewable energy at a lower cost than the price charged by the distribution utility. This allows them to offer you a discount and still maintain a profit margin. 

It’s a win-win relationship: 

• The power plant sells the energy it produces;

• The subscription energy company earns a margin for managing the plant’s output;

• You save money every month using renewable energy, without having to invest in equipment or infrastructure ✅ 

All these operations are formalized under contract, with legal security and ANEEL oversight. It’s important to note that each company may offer different contracting models. The information here reflects the model provided by Prime Energy. 

This model is based on credits. But how does “compensation” work? 

When you subscribe to Subscription Energy (DG), you begin consuming the energy generated by renewable plants managed by Prime Energy’s partners. This energy generates credits that are automatically applied to your bill issued by your local distributor. 

Why up to 25% discount, and what is “compensable energy”? 

This percentage reflects the savings you receive directly on your distributor’s bill. It is calculated using an auditable formula based on two factors: 

• The compensation of renewable energy credits 

• The absence of tariff flags (which normally add an extra cost)
  

How it works 

For every compensated kWh generated by the plant, you always pay 17% less than you would pay your distributor. In addition, savings can reach up to 25% depending on the tariff flag, because we waive this extra charge. 

How can you know the exact monthly savings? 

Every month, our management team provides a detailed report explaining how your savings were calculated. 

Why are there even “greater discounts” in some cases? 

Because our subscription model does not hide fees or fine-print conditions that only become evident later. 

Example: If your electricity tariff with taxes is R$1.00/kWh, with our subscription model it becomes R$0.90/kWh for compensated energy — with zero installation costs. 

What could your business do with extra savings on your energy bill this month? 

Now that you understand the discount model more clearly, it may help to picture how these savings can support your business growth. Here are a few possibilities: 

• If a company spends around R$7,500 per month on electricity and signs up for an average estimated 15% savings, its new monthly cost would be R$6,375.
  

In this scenario, the business could save about R$1,125 per month (without changing anything in its physical structure). 

Over a year, these savings add up to nearly R$13,500, money that is currently being spent unnecessarily. 

💡 Ideas for reinvesting this savings into your business: 

• Replace outdated equipment with more efficient machines 

• Invest in additional raw materials or inventory 

• Make small store improvements to enhance customer experience 

• Reward a good employee with a bonus  

• Build a cash reserve for unexpected expenses 

To get a free simulation and find out how much your business can save, click the banner below

*This is a translated version of the original content: O que você faria se sobrasse mais de R$1.100 no caixa do seu negócio? | Prime Energy