North Carolina homebuyers unable to move into new homes due to lack of power

ZEBULON, N.C. (WNCN) — Brand new homes in the Triangle already have buyers, but they’re empty because they don’t yet have power. CBS 17 has learned this is happening in several neighborhoods.

“Back when I first put a deposit down, got approved and everything, they said, probably looking at the end of July,” said Michael Anderson, who has a new home in Zebulon.

It now looks like Anderson will have to wait a little longer.

“They pushed closing back to sometime in August — not a specific date — because of the power not being turned on,” he said.

CBS 17 obtained an email indicating that additional neighborhoods and builders are experiencing similar issues.

“It’s very frustrating,” Anderson said. “You get your hopes up. They give you a date, so you’re getting all planned and telling people. Then, they come around last-second and be like ‘Stop. Brakes. Change of plans.'”

Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks explained that the utility is still coping with some supply chain issues.

“Like every industry, we experienced supply chain delays and disruptions since the pandemic,” he said. “We’ve been working aggressively through that.”

According to Brooks, while shortages of transformers and other equipment have improved a lot, supply isn’t quite back to normal and the utility is working to keep up with the area’s explosive growth and prepare for emergencies. When it comes to getting power on to new homes, he said the utility’s ability to get equipment installed doesn’t always match up with the developer’s timeline.

While most installs are getting done on time, Brooks said, “In a few instances, it may have resulted in a delay for a week or two beyond where the developer or the customer wanted and we certainly apologize for that.”

Brooks also said Duke Energy must prioritize emergency repairs.

“First and foremost, we’re always ready in an active storm season to get out there and restore power,” said Brooks. “We have the inventory we need for that job.”

Brooks believes supply chain issues will fully resolved in the second half of the year.

“We do see a light at the end of the tunnel,” the Duke spokesperson said.

Anderson worries waiting even a couple of weeks to get into his house could cost him because he’ll have to pay an additional month’s rent to keep the room where he’s currently staying. His electric meter is installed now, but even once the power is on, he still has to go through a final inspection and appraisal before he can close and move into his new house.

“I just can’t wait to put my stuff in it and start my life,” Anderson said.

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