Page 16 - Waterfall_Issue 7_2022

Waterfall News

to have its electricity supplied
directly by the provider, resulting
in a substantial saving for users.

“The entire electricity grid within
Waterfall has been designed by our
engineers and approved by Eskom.
Once it was completed, ownership
was transferred to Eskom to manage.
As a key customer of Eskom, Waterfall
has an excellent relationship with
the incumbent,” says Lourens
du Toit, Head of Sustainability,
Infrastructure and Land at Attacq.
The Waterfall sub-station off Allandale Road.
GREEN BUILDINGS
Kyra Rautenbach, Sustainability energy measures like the building “The overhead electricity lines running
Manager at Attacq, says that working envelope and glass; and active from the Waterfall sub-station, located
directly with Eskom means that systems, like lighting and heating, off Allandale Road, into Megawatt Park
Waterfall is on a low tariff. “The energy have been implemented to work are being upgraded. Due for completion
efficiency we are incorporating across in unison with one another. at the end of the third quarter next
the development, therefore, brings year, this upgrade will not only
with it significant benefits from “With these puzzle pieces in place, we benefit Waterfall, but the surrounding
both commercial and residential can ensure everything is optimised, community as well. The additional
perspectives. At Attacq, our focus from an energy perspective. Solar capacity supported by these upgraded
has been on incorporating resilience becomes the last step in the process, cables will inject further efficiencies
into the commercial side to ensure where we offset the remainder of the into the environment,” adds du Toit.
a lower cost of occupancy. We have usage when the building becomes
aligned our operational teams with fully operational,” adds Rautenbach. However, the work on energy
the development managers, as optimisation is far from done. Says
everybody from the top to ground It is not only new buildings that benefit Vos: “We will do whatever we can
level commits to maximising from energy efficiencies but existing to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.
energy efficiency,” she says. ones in the portfolio as well. One such Already, we have the capacity and the
example is the flagship facility, Mall ability to make a significant difference
To this end, the newly-completed of Africa, which was retrofitted with in improving our energy usage.”
Nexus 1 building was recently certified solar in 2018, following its opening
by the Green Building Council of South in 2016. Today, the mall boasts an Piet Joubert, GM of the Waterfall
Africa (GBCSA) as Waterfall’s first Net extensive rooftop solar PV/diesel Management Company, agrees.
Zero Building. Its efficient design integrated plant, the largest of its kind “Pioneers like Waterfall always face
and solar power system ensure that in the world. The installation covers teething problems. We have the
there is enough renewable energy to most of the available roof space, expertise to harness the likes of solar
meet the building’s needs, resulting in approximately 45 000m², and the and other alternative energy measures,
zero operational carbon emissions. energy generated is used to power but throughout this process, we must
part of the Mall’s daily operations. keep in mind that whatever is done
To date, there are 27 green-rated must be economically feasible. On an
buildings in the precinct. “This ON-PREMISES SUB-STATIONS individual residential level, it might
highlights the calibre of the buildings Further enhancing the energy not be a problem. When it comes to
we are constructing within Waterfall. environment is the fact that there are doing something on the scale of a
We are also fortunate that because three sub-stations within Waterfall city, then regulations must be taken
our Waterfall portfolio is new, the dedicated to commercial users, two into consideration, to create a truly
energy infrastructure is working as sub-stations for residential users, world-class infrastructure environment.
well as it should be,” says Rautenbach. and another sub-station focused on Sustainability has been integrated
Vantage Data Centers’ first-ever African into every aspect of Waterfall,
PERFECT BALANCE campus currently being built within ensuring that every development,
Rautenbach says that all aspects Waterfall. In total, these six sub-stations be it commercial, logistics or
of building design have focused see Eskom supplying Waterfall with residential, is efficient, cost-effective
on energy efficiency. Passive 180MW (megawatts) of power. and eco-friendly,” he concludes.

14 Waterfall Issue 7 2022