Shift and Save: Strategic savings through energy arbitrage
By Juandré Pitout, Head of Business Development, RenEnergy Africa
For high-energy sectors in Africa, including manufacturing, agri-processing, industrial operations and hospitality, electricity is no longer just a utility cost. It is a growing operational risk.
Most businesses cannot simply switch off during peak hours or shift their production windows. Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs penalise you not for using too much energy, but for using it at the wrong time. So even with solar in place, many businesses are still exposed to high tariffs and rising costs.
That is why we developed Shift & Save, our intelligent energy management strategy at RenEnergy.
It is not about using less power, it is about using it smarter.
What is Shift & Save?
Shift & Save is RenEnergy’s approach to energy arbitrage. This is the practice of storing low-cost energy (from solar or off-peak grid power), and using it when electricity prices are high.
It works particularly well for businesses that:
Are billed on ToU or seasonal tariffs
Operate when electricity is most expensive, such as evenings and weekends
Already have solar or are planning to install it
Want a smarter and faster return on their energy investment
It is a shift in thinking, and a shift in timing, that leads to significant savings.
How Shift & Save works
Here’s how Shift & Save helps you reduce your energy costs:
During low-cost periods, solar and/or grid energy is used to charge your battery and power your business.
That stored energy is then discharged during expensive peak hours, allowing you to avoid high tariff charges.
The result is that your operations continue as normal, but you are no longer paying premium rates to stay operational.
A modelled example: R2.94 million in savings
We recently modelled a Shift & Save solution for a premium hospitality property in the Western Cape. Their current annual energy spend (without solar or storage) was R6.26 million, heavily weighted toward peak and standard ToU tariffs.
RenEnergy proposed:
1 MWp rooftop solar PV
2.4 MWh battery energy storage
A tailored control strategy for peak-time dispatch
Modelled savings: R2.94 million per year, which is a 47% reduction in total energy costs.
By implementing Shift and Save, the business achieved a significant reduction in overall electricity costs - from R6.26 million to R3.32 million. Peak period charges dropped dramatically, from R1.80 million to R770,131, while standard period costs fell even further - from R2.64 million to just R707,774. Although off-peak charges increased slightly (from R1.82 million to R1.84 million), this shift reflects a deliberate strategy to consume more energy during lower-cost periods. The result is a streamlined and cost-efficient energy profile, demonstrating the financial value of strategic energy management through Shift and Save. This example highlights a key point. You are not reducing operational demand, you are reducing the cost of that demand by shifting when you pay for energy.
Arbitrage improves ROI and reduces payback period
A question we hear often is: “Are batteries not still too expensive?”
While that may have been true five years ago, the economics have changed. Battery prices are falling, and tariffs are rising. That growing gap makes energy arbitrage more financially compelling than ever.
With Shift & Save, we are seeing clients achieve positive cash flow in four to six years, with consistent long-term savings from there.
“Energy storage isn’t just about resilience,” says Juandré Pitout. “It’s a financial lever. Shift & Save gives our clients control over their energy costs, and a faster return on investment than many expect.”
Designed around performance, not backup
Too many energy storage systems are sold as emergency responses to load shedding. At RenEnergy, we engineer solutions to optimise long-term value, not just to keep the lights on.
We begin with:
Load profiling
Tariff analysis
Savings modelling
Lifecycle ROI projections
Only once we have validated the business case do we select hardware. The value lies in the strategy, not the components.
That strategy is supported through ongoing asset management, including remote diagnostics and system optimisation, to ensure your solution performs year after year.
Why RenEnergy?
RenEnergy has been delivering intelligent energy solutions since 2006 in the UK and 2012 in South Africa. We combine international engineering expertise with deep local knowledge, backed by the financial strength of Aggreko.
From our perspective, Shift & Save is not a product, it is a performance partnership.
“Shift & Save is about timing, precision and control,” says Juandré Pitout. “It is one of the most overlooked ways for South African businesses to gain financial stability from their energy strategies.”
Ready to Shift & Save?
If you are on a Time-of-Use tariff, and especially if you already have solar or are considering it, now is the time to unlock the full value of intelligent energy management.
Email us at consultants@renenergy.co.za to book your diagnostic session.
We will model your usage, assess your tariff structure, and show you how to Shift & Save.
Read our latest article in Engineering News on Shift and Save by clicking here.
Explore how businesses are turning timing into a tool for cost reduction and resilience. Dive deeper into the strategy behind Shift and Save in our latest article - and hear from RenEnergy Africa MD, Claude Peters, as he unpacks this approach at recent UK Showcase Event. Listen here.
About Juandré
Juandré Pitout is Head of Business Development at RenEnergy Africa, where he leverages a strong technical background and a deep understanding of commercial energy solutions to help clients maximise financial and sustainability outcomes. Since joining RenEnergy, Juandré has guided many businesses through energy storage and solar integrations, tailoring solutions that turn electricity spend into a strategic investment. Passionate about driving performance and profitability, he combines international best practices with local insight to deliver long-term value.
