Binyomint, the “regular” work is also needed to keep the power flowing (although today much of it is computerized). BTW, Rav Ovadia noted (Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat, volume 6 page 158) that this work is also needed for security reasons and is also lenient. On the other hand, if someone wants to be a big machmir he should not use electricity at all on Shabbat because of marit ayin. This, of course. also means using a gas or kerosene heater in the winter with all of the attendant dangers (or bundling up). He thus would not be able to live in the newer buildings in Yerushalayim as they have central heating which is not controlled by the individual residents.
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