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Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower Converter

Convert gigawatts to hp(E) with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Gigawatt = 1340482.573727 hp(E)

Formula: Gigawatt × conversion factor = Electric Horsepower

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 Electric Horsepower Calculator

How to Use the Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gigawatt).
  2. The converted value in Electric Horsepower 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 Electric Horsepower: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

hp(E) = GW × 1340480

Example Calculation:

1 GW = 1340482.573727 hp(E)

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.

Need to convert to other power units?

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📋 Unit Symbols

Copy GW & hp(E) symbols

What is a Gigawatt and a Electric Horsepower?

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

1 hp(E) = 746 W = 0.746 kW = 1.0004 hp (mechanical) = 2,545 BTU/h

Difference from mechanical hp: 746 W vs 745.7 W (0.04% higher)

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

Common Uses and Applications: gigawatts vs hp(E)

Explore the typical applications for both Gigawatt (imperial/US) and Electric Horsepower (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 hp(E)

Electric Motors: Industrial motors, pumps, compressors (ratings in hp(E)). HVAC: Fan motors, blower motors (fractional to 10 hp). Manufacturing: Conveyor motors, machine tools (1-100 hp). Residential: Garage door openers, pool pumps (0.5-3 hp).

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 Electric Horsepower (hp(E))

How do I convert electric horsepower to watts?

Formula: W = hp(E) × 746

Examples:

  • 1 hp(E) = 746 W
  • 5 hp(E) = 3,730 W = 3.73 kW
  • 10 hp(E) = 7,460 W = 7.46 kW
  • 0.5 hp(E) = 373 W

Electric HP to Watts converter →

What is the difference between electric and mechanical horsepower?

Electric HP (hp(E)): 746 W exactly (US electric motors) Mechanical HP (hp): 745.7 W (550 ft⋅lb/s, automotive standard)

Difference: 0.04% (practically identical)

Usage:

  • Electric motors → hp(E)
  • Engines (gas, diesel) → mechanical hp
  • International → kW preferred

Conversion: 1 hp(E) = 1.0004 hp (mechanical)

How much power does a 1 hp electric motor use?

Full load: 746 W input (if 100% efficient)

Realistic power draw (accounting for efficiency):

  • 50% efficiency: 1,492 W (1.5 kW)
  • 70% efficiency: 1,066 W (1.07 kW)
  • 85% efficiency: 878 W (0.88 kW)
  • 90% efficiency: 829 W (0.83 kW)

Example: 1 hp motor at 85% efficiency draws 878W. Running 8 hours = 7 kWh energy consumed.

Modern motors: 85-95% efficient. Older motors: 70-85%.

Why use hp(E) instead of kW?

US tradition: Motor industry established before SI metric adoption

Current practice:

  • US: Both hp(E) and kW used (hp(E) more common for small motors)
  • Europe/Asia: Primarily kW
  • International standards: Moving toward kW only

Nameplate labeling: Many US motors show both (e.g., "1 hp / 0.75 kW")

Conversion: Divide hp(E) by 1.341 to get kW

How do I size a motor for my application?

Basic formula: Required hp = (Torque × RPM) ÷ 5,252

Practical approach:

  1. Determine load requirements (torque, speed, duty cycle)
  2. Add safety factor: Multiply by 1.15-1.25 (15-25% margin)
  3. Select next standard size: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7.5, 10 hp

Example: Application needs 0.8 hp → Add 25% = 1 hp → Select 1 hp motor

Avoid oversizing: Wastes energy, motors run inefficiently at low load.

Conversion Table: Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower

Gigawatt (GW)Electric Horsepower (hp(E))
0.5670,241.287
11,340,482.574
1.52,010,723.861
22,680,965.148
56,702,412.869
1013,404,825.737
2533,512,064.343
5067,024,128.686
100134,048,257.373
250335,120,643.432
500670,241,286.863
1,0001,340,482,573.727

People Also Ask

How do I convert Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower?

To convert Gigawatt to Electric Horsepower, 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 Electric Horsepower?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Gigawatt and Electric Horsepower. 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 Electric Horsepower back to Gigawatt?

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

Learn more →

What are common uses for Gigawatt and Electric Horsepower?

Gigawatt and Electric Horsepower 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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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