The lead times for new distribution system transformers can exceed two years, a problem that has been getting more attention in recent months as the situation worsened.
In November, a broad coalition representing the electric sector warned a shortage of distribution system transformers was depleting replacement stockpiles and slowing electrification goals. Procurement times, utilities said, had risen to more than a year, up from about three months in 2020.
U.S. senators discussed the issue last week in a hearing on grid security, pointing to labor and mineral shortages as the issue.
