Power transformer shortage causes delays in building new homes

One upstate developer said without power transformers, people moving to Greenville will have a long wait to find a home

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One upstate developer said without power transformers, people moving to Greenville will have a long wait to find a home

More and more people are choosing to make Greenville County their home. However, a power transformer shortage could cause delays. One upstate developer said without transformers people moving here will be in for a shock.

Anthony Kent with Cothran Homes is in the process of building a 107-townhome development in Greenville County. However, it's at a standstill because of a lack of power transformers.

"We placed our power order last February when we were finishing up the roads and we finally, through many delays, we were able to get one early this year," Kent said.

Kent said this is not just a problem in Greenville County but across the whole country.

"It's nationwide. There are only three suppliers in the U.S. Eighty percent of transformers come from overseas. With the shortage of materials, metallic sand, and copper, it's put a huge strain on the system in the United States," Kent said. "When you find out you can't get a transformer, all things come to a stop at that moment because we can't go any forward with closing homes or selling homes. We can't tell people when a home will be ready to move in."

While Kent waits, more developers are looking to build homes.

Greenville County records show that in the last two years, more than 1,500 home permits were requested.

Already in 2023, the county surpassed permit requests made in January and February of 2022.

"With all these people moving in, we have to supply them with homes and developments so that they have places to live. Without these transformers that are in great shortage and demand, we can't finish homes fast enough. It will be a surprise this year when people come out wanting to buy a home and find there are very limited numbers to choose from," Kent said.

Kent hopes by speaking out, it will be a shock to the system before the country falls too far behind.

The shortage is so bad that the National Builders Association sent a letter to President Biden addressing the issue.