Power measures the rate of energy transfer, and we measure it in watts. Many situations call for converting between megawatts (MW) and kilowatts (kW). Read on to learn more about MW to KW conversion.
What are megawatts and kilowatts?
Both megawatts (MW) and kilowatts (kW) are units of power in the International System of Units (SI).
Megawatt (MW)
A megawatt is a unit of power equal to one million watts.
Kilowatt (kW)
A kilowatt is a unit of power equal to one thousand watts.
How to convert MW to kW
The basic relationship is that 1 megawatt (MW) equals 1000 kilowatts (kW). Think of “mega” as meaning “thousands of.”
To convert megawatts to kilowatts, just multiply the number of megawatts by 1000:
kW = MW x 1000
To go the other way, 1 kW = 0.001 MW.
Converting MW to kW: An Example
Let’s convert 15 MW into kW.
The formula is:
[MW] x 1000 = [kW]
So,
15 MW x 1000 = 15,000 kW.
Therefore, 15 megawatts equals 15,000 kilowatts.
Key Takeaways
Converting between megawatts (MW) and kilowatts (kW) is simple. Because the relationship between the two units is well-defined, understanding that relationship is crucial in electricity generation, distribution, and consumption.