UnitsConverter

Gigawatt to BTU per Second Converter

Convert gigawatts to BTU/s with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Gigawatt = 947817.120313 BTU/s

Formula: Gigawatt × conversion factor = BTU per Second

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Gigawatt to BTU per Second Calculator

How to Use the Gigawatt to BTU per Second Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gigawatt).
  2. The converted value in BTU per Second will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Gigawatt to BTU per Second: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Gigawatt to BTU per Second involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

BTU/s = GW × 947817

Example Calculation:

1 GW = 947817.120313 BTU/s

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

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📋 Unit Symbols

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What is a Gigawatt and a BTU per Second?

1 GW = 1,000,000,000 W = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW = 1,341,022 hp = 3.412 billion BTU/h

1 BTU/s = 1,055.06 W = 1.055 kW = 3,600 BTU/h = 1.41 hp = 0.001055 MW

Note: The Gigawatt is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The BTU per Second belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: gigawatts vs BTU/s

Explore the typical applications for both Gigawatt (imperial/US) and BTU per Second (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for gigawatts

Power Plants: Nuclear reactors, coal plants, large hydro dams (1-3 GW each). National Grids: Total generation capacity for countries/regions. Energy Policy: Renewable energy targets, grid expansion planning. Data Centers: Massive hyperscale facilities (approaching 1 GW).

When to Use BTU/s

Rare Unit: Almost never used in practice. Theoretical: Engineering textbooks, conversion tables. Alternatives Preferred: MW for large systems, BTU/h for HVAC. Historical: Old power plant references (now use MW).

Additional Unit Information

About Gigawatt (GW)

How do I convert GW to MW or kW?

Formula:

  • MW = GW × 1,000
  • kW = GW × 1,000,000
  • W = GW × 1,000,000,000

Examples:

  • 1 GW = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW
  • 2.5 GW = 2,500 MW = 2,500,000 kW
  • 0.5 GW = 500 MW = 500,000 kW

GW to MW converter → GW to kW converter →

How much power is 1.21 gigawatts?

Reference: "Back to the Future" flux capacitor requirement

1.21 GW = 1,210 MW = 1,210,000 kW

Equivalent to:

  • ~1 nuclear reactor at full output
  • ~600 large wind turbines (2 MW each)
  • ~400,000 US homes' average consumption
  • ~1,620,000 horsepower
  • Lightning bolt peak: ~1 TW (1,000 GW) for microseconds, but 1.21 GW sustained is massive

Reality: No practical way to extract 1.21 GW from a lightning bolt (too brief, unpredictable)

How many homes can 1 GW power?

Average US home: ~1.2 kW average draw (30 kWh/day ÷ 24 hours)

1 GW = 1,000,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833,000 homes

Regional variations:

  • Southwest US (high AC use): ~600,000 homes per GW
  • Northeast US: ~700,000-800,000 homes per GW
  • Pacific Northwest: ~900,000-1,000,000 homes per GW

Peak vs average: During peak demand (hot summer afternoon), 1 GW powers fewer homes (~300,000-500,000).

What is the world's largest power plant?

Three Gorges Dam (China): 22.5 GW capacity

  • Type: Hydroelectric
  • Turbines: 34 generators
  • Annual generation: ~100 TWh/year
  • Location: Yangtze River

Other massive plants:

  • Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay): 14 GW
  • Xiluodu Dam (China): 13.86 GW
  • Belo Monte Dam (Brazil): 11.23 GW
  • Guri Dam (Venezuela): 10.2 GW

Largest nuclear (single site): Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Japan): 7.97 GW (7 reactors)

How do countries measure their energy capacity?

Installed capacity: Total GW of all power plants (nameplate rating)

Actual generation: Lower than capacity due to:

  • Capacity factor: % of time at full output
  • Maintenance downtime
  • Fuel availability
  • Grid demand

Example - US (2024):

  • Installed capacity: ~1,200 GW
  • Peak demand: ~740 GW (summer)
  • Average demand: ~450 GW

Capacity factor by source:

  • Nuclear: 90-95% (runs constantly)
  • Coal: 40-60%
  • Natural gas: 30-60%
  • Wind: 25-45%
  • Solar: 15-30%

About BTU per Second (BTU/s)

How do I convert BTU/s to kW or MW?

Formula:

  • kW = BTU/s × 1.055
  • MW = BTU/s × 0.001055

Examples:

  • 100 BTU/s = 105.5 kW = 0.106 MW
  • 1,000 BTU/s = 1,055 kW = 1.055 MW
  • 10,000 BTU/s = 10,550 kW = 10.55 MW

BTU/s to kW converter → BTU/s to MW converter →

How do I convert BTU/s to BTU/h?

Formula: BTU/h = BTU/s × 3,600

Examples:

  • 1 BTU/s = 3,600 BTU/h
  • 100 BTU/s = 360,000 BTU/h
  • 1,000 BTU/s = 3,600,000 BTU/h (3.6 million BTU/h)

BTU/s to BTU/h converter →

Why not use BTU/s for power plants?

Megawatts clearer: 500 MW vs 473,900 BTU/s International standard: MW used globally Simpler calculations: Metric system easier Industry convention: All power plants rated in MW or GW

Example: Nuclear reactor

  • As MW: 1,000 MW (clear, concise)
  • As BTU/s: 947,800 BTU/s (unwieldy)
  • As BTU/h: 3.41 billion BTU/h (also unwieldy)

MW is the practical choice for large power systems.

Conversion Table: Gigawatt to BTU per Second

Gigawatt (GW)BTU per Second (BTU/s)
0.5473,908.56
1947,817.12
1.51,421,725.681
21,895,634.241
54,739,085.602
109,478,171.203
2523,695,428.008
5047,390,856.016
10094,781,712.031
250236,954,280.078
500473,908,560.157
1,000947,817,120.313

People Also Ask

How do I convert Gigawatt to BTU per Second?

To convert Gigawatt to BTU per Second, enter the value in Gigawatt in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our power converter page to convert between other units in this category.

Learn more →

What is the conversion factor from Gigawatt to BTU per Second?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Gigawatt and BTU per Second. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert BTU per Second back to Gigawatt?

Yes! You can easily convert BTU per Second back to Gigawatt by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our BTU per Second to Gigawatt converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Gigawatt and BTU per Second?

Gigawatt and BTU per Second are both standard units used in power measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our power converter for more conversion options.

For more power conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

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📚 How to Convert Units

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Other Power Units and Conversions

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026