Supply shortages could mean delays in power restoration after storms

Florida’s Emergency Management Director is warning new supply chain issues could lead to delays in power restoration after a major storm. The warning comes as the coast prepares for the peak of an above average hurricane season.

Basic essentials to restore power, including transformers, are in short supply. Transformers typically take three to six months to import, but the delivery date is two to six years from now because of supply chain issues. 

“Transformers are a critical component for electric restoration and electric delivery. Some manufacturers we’re not even taking new orders for transformers because they have such a backlog already,” said Amy Zubaly, the Executive Director for Florida Municipal Electric Association. 

FMEA represents Florida’s 33 public power communities. Utilities across the state have publicly shared concerns over transformer shortages.

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An electrical substation stands in the wake of Hurricane Ida on September 4, 2021, in Grand Isle, Louisiana. Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane six days before in Louisiana and brought flooding, wind damage and power outages along the Gulf C

“As we prepare for hurricane season, we build up a supply and a stock of our electric grade components that we need for hurricane restoration. That’s separate from our normal operating supplies of materials. That supply on both hands may not be up to the extent that it normally is,” Zubaly said.

FMEA is hopeful power companies could manage a light hurricane season, but warns power restoration may be a challenge if the region is slammed with multiple storms. 

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“We were predicted to have an above average number of storms. We’re just now getting into that peak of hurricane season. So most storms don’t hit until August, September, October, and it’s beginning of August and so the next three months are going to be really telling. If we’re hit repeatedly by large scale storms, we may be in a situation that we’re having to you know, find alternative means for the supplies.”

Power companies warn the threat extends far beyond hurricane season. This could impact emergency management response to severe weather in general, including wildfires and flooding.

A utility crew works to restore power in the wake of Hurricane Ida on September 2, 2021, in Albany, Louisiana. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

“It’s an issue for those that are facing wildfires right now. Flooding, if there’s been concerns where components have been damaged and have to be replaced. You know, it’s across the board and across the sector, across the country that they’re trying to solve these issues,” Zubaly said.

Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill to encourage production of transformers on U.S. soil. The bill includes an $8 billion loan guarantee to domestic companies to rebuild or increase the supply of electric grid materials to help alleviate the supply chain concerns. However, FMEA warns this will take time to…