companies realised that staff could be productive working from home and started downsizing their office space , with some giving it up altogether . However , the pendulum has started swinging again as several corporates are realising that collaboration , innovation , mentorship , and other critical measures of productivity require a physical presence . These companies are now moving towards a hybrid model while some are even reverting to office attendance five days a week .”
Increased load shedding is also driving a return to the office , where generator power is available to employees who do not have sufficient back-up power at home to remain productive during extended or multiple outages . This despite increased commuting times as traffic lights don ’ t work during load shedding .
Michelle Jackson , MD of Property and Buildings at WSP in Africa says : “ Since load shedding commenced in 2008 , many businesses turned to diesel generators for resilience in their power supply , allowing for their entire power load to be accommodated on generators . In 2022 , load shedding is still here and will be for some time to come so that commercial and industrial property developments must continue to incorporate alternate or back-up power contingencies .”
The steady increase in the cost of fuel in South Africa since 2016 is further exacerbated by the current war in the Ukraine and the world ’ s reliance on Russian energy . This , combined with global company and government commitments to achieving net zero , brings the use of generators for power resilience into question . To offset the reliance on both expensive fossil fuel and the grid , and to mitigate the negative environmental impact of generators , the use of a renewable energy mix – solar , wind , biofuel and so on – is becoming more necessary .
“ There are several options open to businesses ,” Jackson says . “ They can supplement traditional generator backup power with
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