Thousands of Belco customers lost power yesterday after technical problems in the east end.

According to a Belco spokesman, the Operation's Centre shed load on 17 circuits, turning off the lights in more than 5,000 homes, after two east power station engines tripped at around 4.30 p.m.

Belco staff were able to return power to most of the homes by 5.44 p.m., with the last areas regaining electricity by 5.56 p.m.