Green buildings are increasingly in demand in the face of concerns around Eskom’s ability to supply power.

At the recent African Utility Week conference, energy minister Jeff Radebe told delegates that Eskom alone cannot meet our power capacity requirements, they estimate that the capacity extension under the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will cost in excess of R1 trillion in the period up to 2030.

“Including the new power plants plus the requisite transmission and distribution infrastructure,” said the minister.

According to Moneyweb, Property Company, Redefine recently noted that installing renewable energy interventions is an area with scope for growth.

Seeing as this can notably alleviate some of the pressure caused by Eskom’s blackouts and tariff increases.

The property company says green buildings remain a key development priority in line with creating a sustainable business and green buildings offers a multitude of benefits

“Our green buildings benefit our business, our tenants and our environment by utilising the latest technology across designs, drawing less power from the grid, reducing our carbon footprint, and optimising operational costs,” says CEO Andrew König.

Pieter Strydom, commercial asset manager at Redefine Properties, says that while Sandton has an oversupply of office space, well located prime grade green buildings remain in demand, keeping vacancy in that market segment low.