The megawatt (MW) is a large-scale power unit equal to 1,000,000 watts, used to express the capacity of power plants and large facilities.
As electricity generation industrialized, the megawatt became the standard practical unit for expressing power plant capacity.
Measurement system: International System of Units (SI, multiple unit). SI equivalent: 1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1000 kW.
Megawatt facts
- Unit name
- Megawatt
- Symbol
- MW
- Category
- Power
- Measurement system
- International System of Units (SI, multiple unit)
- SI equivalent
- 1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1000 kW
- Common uses
- Power plant capacity, wind/solar installations and heavy industrial facilities
Definition of the megawatt
The megawatt (MW) is a large-scale power unit equal to 1,000,000 watts, used to express the capacity of power plants and large facilities.
Measurement system and SI relationship
International System of Units (SI, multiple unit)
SI equivalent: 1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1000 kW
History of the megawatt
As electricity generation industrialized, the megawatt became the standard practical unit for expressing power plant capacity.
Where is the megawatt used?
Power plant capacity, wind/solar installations and heavy industrial facilities