CAPE TOWN—Heralding the move as the most exciting disruption to the energy sector since the invention of the candle, tech analysts are praising a new South African startup that allows residents to subscribe to the luxury of seeing the inside of their own homes. The groundbreaking program, which offers portable batteries for a mere $2 rental fee, finally allows consumers to bypass the cumbersome, outdated 20th-century model of 'having a functioning national power grid.'

'We’ve essentially Uber-ized the flow of electrons,' said lead investor Gavin Visser, explaining that owning a steady supply of power is a bourgeois concept that stifles market agility. 'Why be tied down by the heavy infrastructure of transmission lines and power plants when you can enjoy the freedom of renting a toaster’s worth of energy for 45 minutes? It’s the ultimate pay-to-win mechanic for basic survival.'

At press time, the company announced a premium 'Gold Tier' subscription, which allows families to rent a second battery capable of powering a WiFi router long enough to send an email complaining about the blackout.