http://www.tjpottertrucking.com/trucking-oversized-loads/hea... ... if a plane can carry that, then transport by air is possible. The Antonov An-225 Mriya could probably carry a large transformer.

IEEE (or the manufacturers?) have commissioning procedures. Typically the larger transformers are manufactured elsewhere, then reassembled on-site and commissioned (figure a week to a month).

Your ballpark estimate on the cost is close enough.

One point to remember is that 'if it bleeds it leads', news stories are often sensationalized to achieve more viewers/readers. Typically for power applications, the sizing of equipment is based on peak demand such that the equipment is only fully utilized in a short time period (people get upset when power isn't available or a fire is started). While this report is probably correct in essence, without knowing the exact scenario that was modeled it is difficult to determine a solution.