Megawatts (MW) and gigawatts (GW) are units of power we use to measure how much electricity is generated or used, especially on a large scale. This article will explain how to convert from megawatt to gigawatt, including the formula, examples, and why this conversion matters.
Megawatts and Gigawatts Explained
Both megawatts and gigawatts are units of power in the International System of Units (SI).
Megawatt (MW)
A megawatt is a unit of power that’s equal to one million watts. One megawatt is typically enough to power about 1,000 homes.
Gigawatt (GW)
A gigawatt is a unit of power equal to one billion watts, or 1,000 megawatts. So, a gigawatt can power about a million homes.
Megawatts to Gigawatts: The Formula
To convert megawatts (MW) to gigawatts (GW), just divide the number of megawatts by 1,000:
gigawatts = megawatts ÷ 1,000
For example, to convert 500 MW to GW:
500 MW / 1000 = 0.5 GW.
The reverse is also true: megawatts = gigawatts x 1,000.
Pro Tip: If your conversion results in zero, try increasing the number of decimal places in your calculator.
Practical Applications and Conversion Table
A conversion table is useful for quick lookups. It provides pre-calculated conversions for some of the most common values you might need. You’ll often need to convert between megawatts and gigawatts for planning large-scale energy projects or when comparing the output of power plants.
Here’s a simplified conversion table:
- 1 MW = 0.001 GW
- 100 MW = 0.1 GW
- 1000 MW = 1 GW
Final Thoughts
Converting between megawatts and gigawatts is easy. Just use the formula or the conversion table we shared.
Understanding the difference between these measurements is important in many areas of the energy industry.
Feel free to use the formula and examples we’ve given you to do your own conversions anytime.