Auto parts retailer AutoZone has partnered with Prime Energy to adopt an energy subscription model across 68 of its stores. The initiative projects annual savings of R$ 1.4 million, boosting sustainability within the sector.
The transition to more affordable and sustainable energy sources has become a strategic priority for large retail chains in Brazil. Recently, AutoZone, a global leader in the auto parts segment, took a significant step by integrating 68 of its Brazilian units into the energy subscription model provided by Prime Energy, a commercial partner of Shell Energy in the country.
This collaboration not only optimizes the company’s operating costs but also reinforces its commitment to the ESG agenda. With estimated monthly savings of R$ 100,000, the strategy demonstrates how the clean energy market can offer financial predictability and efficiency for operations dispersed across multiple regions.
Flexibility and savings in retail
The project covers units located within the concession areas of distributors such as CPFL Paulista, RGE, CPFL Santa Cruz, Copel, Cemig, Equatorial Goiás, and Elektro. In total, the consumption volume covered by the contract reaches 423 MWh per month—a supply equivalent to the consumption of 2,400 Brazilian households.
For Bianca Andrade, Director of Customer Relations at Prime Energy, scale is the key differentiator:
“Operations with multiple units have significant potential for adopting solutions that combine energy efficiency with cost reduction. The partnership with AutoZone shows how a structured strategy generates relevant results, even with stores spread across several regions.”
Advantages of the energy subscription model
One of the main attractions of this contracting format is that it requires no investment in physical infrastructure. Unlike local distributed generation, where a retailer would need to install solar panels on the roof, the subscription model uses credits from renewable plants injected directly into the power grid. The discount is applied automatically to the monthly bill, eliminating logistical hurdles and maintenance costs for the retailer.
Alberto Nonato, Senior Manager of Construction and Maintenance at AutoZone Brazil, highlights the operational benefits:
“Efficient resource management is a priority for AutoZone, especially in an operation that is growing and expanding its presence in different regions of the country. The partnership with Prime Energy allows us to advance on this front, combining cost reduction, predictability, and a supply alternative based on renewable sources.”
The future of energy efficiency
AutoZone‘s move reflects a growing trend among companies seeking alternatives to conventional energy. By reducing fixed expenses while simultaneously utilizing clean energy sources, the retail sector gains more resilience against fluctuations in electricity tariffs.
The expectation is that smart consumption models will continue to attract large chains, consolidating the energy transition as a pillar of competitiveness in the Brazilian market. With over 40,000 corporate customers already served by Shell Energy‘s solutions via Prime Energy, the landscape points toward an acceleration in the adoption of renewable energy contracts, promoting more efficient operations aligned with global environmental best practices.
