It’s a relatively easy matter to take out a few transformers with a high powered rifle, happened a few years ago in California.
https://www.inquisitr.com/1123226/california-power-station-attack-snipers-take-out-17-transformers
At the time I suspected it was instigated by Chinese agents to test how easy it would be to pull off something like this. I’ve always thought a grid attack would come before any exchange of nukes. also think a biowarfare attack would come before any nuclear exchange too. There’s probably hundreds of thousands Chinese agents embedded here, and they woud be activated in any military confrontation with the US.
It amazed me al queda didn’t do more of this. Or hasn’t done more like this.
5 people with enough intent could knock out much of the grid fairly easy. And 10 more with Bic lighters could burn down entire states.