美媒：绕线工数量不足，竟已成美国AI发展一大瓶颈

Core Insights - The surge in demand for data centers driven by artificial intelligence (AI) is facing significant challenges due to aging power infrastructure and slow transmission line construction in the U.S. [1][8] - The shortage of skilled labor, particularly in transformer manufacturing, is a critical bottleneck for expanding the U.S. power grid [4][7] Group 1: Demand and Supply Dynamics - The demand for large transformers in the U.S. has surged, with orders exceeding supply by approximately 14,000 units this year [2] - Hitachi Energy's factory in South Boston, Virginia, has implemented a three-shift work system and invested $457 million to expand production capacity [2] - The supply of smaller distribution transformers is also tight, with a projected shortfall of 123,000 units this year [7] Group 2: Labor and Production Challenges - The production of transformers is hampered by a shortage of skilled winding workers, whose expertise takes three to five years to develop [4][5] - The reliance on manual labor for transformer production makes it difficult to scale up output, as evidenced by the experiences of workers who find the job challenging and not easily automated [5][6] - The U.S. manufacturing sector is struggling to meet the rising demand for transformers, with 80% of large transformers and about 50% of distribution transformers expected to be imported this year [7] Group 3: Future Projections and Implications - U.S. electricity demand is projected to increase by 25% from 2023 to 2030, driven by growth in data centers and industrial sectors [7] - By 2028, data centers are expected to account for approximately 12% of the total electricity consumption in the U.S. [7] - The aging power infrastructure and regulatory hurdles are significant challenges that could hinder the growth of the tech industry and the broader economy [8]