A megawatt (MW) is a unit of power equal to one million watts. It measures how quickly electricity is used or produced, common for describing output from power plants or large-scale energy generators.
In simple terms, megawatt energy indicates capacity, the maximum power available by the given device, and is widely used in energy planning.
To understand 1 megawatt is equal to how many units and convert megawatts to watts, multiply by 1,000,000.
• 1 MW = 1,000,000 W
So a 5 MW power plant delivers 5 million watts of power.
Megawatts are commonly used to measure the capacity of power plants, renewable energy farms, and large infrastructure systems. For instance, wind turbines, solar parks, and hydroelectric stations are rated in megawatts to indicate their maximum output.
The megawatt is crucial in energy planning, grid management, and national power reporting, by providing a standardized way to compare energy sources. By measuring in megawatts, governments, industries, and energy companies can evaluate generation capacity, ensure reliable electricity supply, and track progress toward sustainable energy targets.