Gigawatt

Gigawatt (GW)

The gigawatt is a unit of power used to measure the output of large-scale power generation facilities and the consumption of entire electrical grids. One gigawatt is enough to power approximately 700,000 homes.

Characteristics

• Large-scale power unit
• 1 GW = 1,000 megawatts (MW)
• 1 GW = 1,000,000 kilowatts (kW)
• 1 GW = 1,000,000,000 watts (W)
• Used in: power plant capacity, grid infrastructure, energy policy

Applications

• Nuclear and coal power plant capacity ratings
• Renewable energy farm output (large solar/wind installations)
• National and regional electrical grid capacity
• Energy policy discussions and planning
• Electricity market and trading

Real-World Examples

• Large nuclear reactor: 1-1.5 GW capacity
• Major coal power plant: 2-4 GW capacity
• Three Gorges Dam: 22.5 GW (world’s largest)
• Large offshore wind farm: 0.5-2 GW
• Small country electrical demand: 1-5 GW peak

Conversions

• 1 GW = 1,000 MW
• 1 GW = 1,000,000 kW
• 1 GW = 1,341,000 horsepower (hp)
• 1 GW·h = 3,600,000 MJ (for energy over time)

Note on GW vs GWh

• GW (gigawatt): Power - instantaneous capacity
• GWh (gigawatt-hour): Energy - total amount over time
• Example: A 1 GW power plant running for 1 hour produces 1 GWh of energy