A two-hour power cut affected about 18,400 households across the Island yesterday morning.

A Belco spokeswoman said it happened just before 9 a.m. and was caused by a faulty monitoring component in an engine.

The problem forced out four engines in Belco's east power station and resulted in the loss of 20 megawatts of power at the company's central plant.

The spokeswoman said: "As a result, load was shed from the system, affecting approximately 18,400 customers across the Island, but excluding the City of Hamilton. Restoration work began immediately. All electricity was restored at approximately 11 a.m."