Soaring energy costs? Smart buildings are the answer

For decades, people used just a little more electricity each year, roughly 1-2% increases annually. But today’s rapid technology advances are changing everything. "The huge jump in energy demand we're seeing right now is really being driven by AI, data centers, industrial manufacturing, reshoring or onshoring, and everything going electric—from buildings to cars," explains Josephine Tucker, Head of Sustainability Services, Americas at JLL.

This unprecedented surge has created a perfect storm: soaring electricity prices, strained power grids and increasing pressure on businesses to meet ambitious sustainability targets. Yet within this challenge lies an extraordinary opportunity — one that transforms your real estate from an overhead cost into a vehicle for significant cost savings and even a revenue driver.

Across the world, buildings are being reimagined, not just as places that consume energy but as systems that produce it. With electricity prices climbing and sustainability expectations rising, the real estate equation is changing fast. The question isn't just how to use less energy, but how to secure space that controls and generates it. 

If you're managing facilities, evaluating lease renewals or planning to relocate your office or other workspaces, you've likely felt the pressure from both sides—higher energy costs and tougher sustainability goals.

 "Our occupier clients are worried about rising energy costs and are increasingly looking for ways to both reduce their energy demands and improve energy efficiency. They are also seeking more creative solutions, such as on-site solar or battery storage, demand management, or microgrid solutions," notes Tucker.

 According to JLL research (Value Creation Through Energy-Smart, Low-Carbon Buildings, September 2025), electricity alone accounts for up to a quarter of a building's operating costs. Yet most leases still tie tenants to buildings designed only to consume power. The opportunity now is to reverse that model: seek out buildings with installed rooftop solar arrays, integrated battery storage and deployed smart systems that stabilize your costs.

Energy-smart buildings are transforming more than single locations, they’re reshaping entire real estate portfolios. With data from sensors and AI, companies can see which spaces people actually use and how much energy each building consumes. This helps them make better decisions about where to expand, which leases to renew and how to hit their sustainability goals while saving money.

The results speak for themselves. In London, Workspace Group partnered with JLL to improve energy efficiency across its portfolio. Within just five months, the company reduced electricity usage by 31%, saving 63,000 kWh per month—the equivalent of avoiding nearly 14 tonnes of CO2.

For those in energy-smart buildings, this means lower, more predictable utility bills and automatic progress on environmental goals. "These technologies help you save money while also making your building more resilient,” explains Tucker.

This means that buildings can protect tenants from wild energy price swings. They do this with rooftop solar panels, batteries that store power when it’s cheaper and smart systems that decide whether to use solar power, tap into stored energy or pull from the grid—whatever costs less at the time.

When a building produces its own clean energy, it becomes more than just a place to work. It becomes a business advantage. Solar panels and batteries keep the lights on if the grid goes down, keep energy bills steady and show employees and customers that you care about the environment.

When you choose a smart building with solar panels on the roof, battery storage and smart systems, you're not just getting office space. You're getting something that can generate revenue. These buildings provide an opportunity for building owners to sell extra power back to the electric company, creating a new income stream. The money benefits start right away. Smart building upgrades can cut maintenance costs by up to 20% and make equipment last longer because of less wear and tear. 

Smart buildings also give you data about everything: which areas people use most, where energy is wasted, when equipment needs fixing before it breaks down. Companies that use this information can cut their operational costs and avoid expensive surprises. Better building management can boost tenant satisfaction, which means less empty spaces. Whether you own the building or rent, this impacts your bottom line. 

Our research shows companies in smart buildings have more predictable energy costs and hit their green goals faster. These aren't futuristic buildings; they're being built right now to cut emissions, save money and create healthier places to work. 

Transitioning to energy-smart space takes time, but it's definitely possible with the right partner. Our Energy and Sustainability team works with your facilities managers, finance team and executives to make sure your building choices make sense for your business. We'll help you find the right buildings and negotiate better utility deals, so you can focus on running your organization. 

Our approach covers everything you need: finding buildings that make money instead of just costing money, managing operations to get the most value, and planning your whole real estate strategy to multiply your success.Once you're in your new space, we can help keep everything running smoothly and make sure you're getting the most out of all your properties through facilities and workplace management.

Your buildings can do more than house your team—they can generate revenue, help the environment and lead to more efficient operations. 

Ready to experience the benefits of smart buildings?? Learn more about what we can help you achieve. 

JLL’s commercial real estate services combine a global platform with trusted local experts across every sector and asset class. Our multi-disciplinary approach includes leasing, design, portfolio optimization, project management, facilities management and other workplace solutions that help you unlock business value through real estate.