How fast grids can be fixed depends on what breaks. If large power transformers (LPTs) get fried, the lead time for manufacturing replacements can exceed 20 mo

How fast grids can be fixed depends on what breaks. If large power transformers (LPTs) get fried, the lead time for manufacturing replacements can exceed 20 months [1]. They're so expensive that spares are not commonly bought or built. As well, a Carrington-scale CME event could wreck enough grid infrastructure to require a black start [2] of unprecedented scale. Our energy infrastructure has never experienced a Carrington CME. I think it could easily take a year or more to get back to the continent-wide coordinated grid we now have. [1] https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/Large%20Power%20Transformer%20Study%20-%20June%202012_0.pdf https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/Large%20Power%20Transfor... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_start https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_start