NBU had a total of 568 75 kVA transformers on order and expected to receive 149 of the units in June. Instead, it received six units and were informed by their primary supplier to expect deliveries to be limited to approximately six transformers per month for the foreseeable future, according to NBU.
The utility company said it has made a temporary change in its service application process in an attempt to assist developers.
“Until the supply chain issue is resolved, development projects will no longer have to wait for NBU electric service to be in place before final acceptance can be issued for water and wastewater infrastructure,” NBU said in a press release. “Final acceptance of water and wastewater infrastructure will allow for application for water meters, release of construction bonds, commencement of the warranty period and allow builders the opportunity to apply for a building permit.”
NBU said the account will remain in the builder or developer's name and cannot be transferred to a homeowner until electric, water or sewer service meters are in place.
“This constitutes building at the developer’s risk as supply chain conditions may not improve in the near future and could even worsen,” NBU said in a press release. “Any delay in receiving electric service should be shared upfront with potential homebuyers to help manage expectations as to when a house will be ready for occupancy.”
According to NBU, it is unable to provide firm estimates to when individual projects will have the needed materials on hand to proceed with construction due to not receiving the information from the vendor. The estimated delivery of transformers is at approximately 20-34 weeks, and there is no assurance that the quantity ordered will be delivered. Vendors continue to cite delays for other materials as well, and in some instances, this can be up to 100 weeks.
NBU said it is evaluating several tactics to mitigate the issue and will share updated information on its approach regularly. Once the material is made available, an electric engineering tech will notify the developer that the job is being released to electric operations to be placed on its construction schedule along with an estimated start date.
Developers can work with the NBU new construction team to utilize the temporary change to service applications, and it can be reached at 830-608-8992/8919 or [email protected].
