Large power transformers, 2023: GAO via NLR
GAO found typical large power transformers taking 30 to 36 months from purchase order to receipt, up from 12 to 18 months, as cited in DOE’s May 2026 NLR report.
30 to 36 months from purchase order to receipt (up from 12 to 18 months) Large power · 2023 · US
“However, procurement timelines for new transformers measured from purchase order to receipt have lengthened from 12–18 months to 30–36 months (U.S. Government Accountability Office 2023) for typical LPTs.”
The record
Field definitions- Class on the chart
- Large power and substation transformers
- Transformer type
- Large power transformer
- Size / class
- Typical LPT
- Region
- US
- As of
- 2023
- Lead time as stated
- 30 to 36 months from purchase order to receipt (up from 12 to 18 months)
- Publisher
- US GAO (2023), cited by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (May 2026)
- Original source
- U.S. Government Accountability Office 2023
- Source type
- government
- Verified
Sources
Cite this reading
US GAO (2023), cited by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (May 2026), as compiled by Transformer Lead Times: “Large power transformers, 2023: GAO via NLR”. https://transformerleadtimes.com/gao-lpt-2023/ (accessed 9 Nov 2026).
CC BY 4.0. Quote the original publisher; link this page for the dated record.
Other large power readings
Filter the table| As of | Reading | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | 160+ weeks Power / substation transformer | VAWN (aggregating Wood Mackenzie) |
| Jul 2026 | Pushing past three years Large substation transformer | Reuters (Roseville Electric CEO Dan Beans) |
| May 2026 | +80% High-capacity power transformer | PwC analysts (via pv magazine, citing Reuters Events) |
| May 2026 | +80% Large power transformer | National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly NREL), US DOE |
| May 2026 | 200+ weeks Large power transformer | Transformer Technology (citing Northfield Transformers) |
| Feb 2026 | +79% Large power transformer | BloombergNEF (via pv magazine) |
| Q2 2025 | 128 weeks Power transformer | Wood Mackenzie |
| Q1 2025 | 138.4 weeks Power transformer | Wood Mackenzie |