Insurer Sues Over 2011 Hawaii Wind Farm Fire Losses

The insurance company that paid $2.4 million to cover losses from a wind farm fire in Hawaii is suing manufacturers that built parts of its battery system.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London paid to cover losses at First Wind’s Kahuku wind energy project following a fire May 23, 2011.

The fire destroyed one of 10 power modules. A second fire that August destroyed the battery system and knocked out service for more than a year.

The lawsuit names Dynapower Co., which built power inverters in the battery system, and Electronic Concepts Inc., which manufactured capacitors used in inverters.

ECI operations and engineering manager Joe Bond says capacitors were not at fault in the fire.

Dynapower officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.