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Gigawatt to Metric Horsepower Converter

Convert gigawatts to PS with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Gigawatt = 1359621.617304 PS

Formula: Gigawatt × conversion factor = Metric 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 Metric Horsepower Calculator

How to Use the Gigawatt to Metric Horsepower Calculator:

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

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

Formula:

PS = GW × 1359620

Example Calculation:

1 GW = 1359621.617304 PS

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 & PS symbols

What is a Gigawatt and a Metric 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 PS = 735.5 W = 0.7355 kW = 0.9863 hp (mechanical) = 75 kgf⋅m/s = 2,510 BTU/h

Names by region:

  • PS (Pferdestärke) - German
  • CV (Chevaux Vapeur) - French
  • pk (paardenkracht) - Dutch
  • hk (hästkraft) - Swedish
  • LE (Leistungseinheit) - Older German

All equal exactly 735.5 watts.

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

Common Uses and Applications: gigawatts vs PS

Explore the typical applications for both Gigawatt (imperial/US) and Metric 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 PS

Automotive: Engine power ratings in Europe, Asia (100-500 PS typical). Motorcycles: Engine power specifications (15-200 PS). Industrial: European motors, pumps, machinery (kW now more common). Marine: European boat engines, outboards (5-500 PS).

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 Metric Horsepower (PS)

How do I convert PS to horsepower (hp)?

Formula: hp = PS × 0.9863 (or PS ÷ 1.014)

Examples:

  • 100 PS = 98.6 hp
  • 150 PS = 148 hp
  • 200 PS = 197 hp
  • 300 PS = 296 hp

Reverse: hp × 1.014 = PS

PS to HP converter →

How do I convert PS to kilowatts?

Formula: kW = PS × 0.7355 (or PS ÷ 1.36)

Examples:

  • 75 PS = 55.2 kW
  • 100 PS = 73.6 kW
  • 150 PS = 110.3 kW
  • 200 PS = 147.1 kW

Quick approximation: Divide PS by 1.36 to get kW

PS to kW converter →

What is the difference between PS and hp?

Metric HP (PS): 735.5 W (75 kgf⋅m/s, Europe/Asia) Mechanical HP (hp): 745.7 W (550 ft⋅lb/s, US/UK)

Difference: PS is 1.4% less than hp

Conversion: 1 PS = 0.9863 hp, 1 hp = 1.014 PS

Example:

  • BMW 330i: 258 PS = 254 hp = 190 kW
  • Ford Mustang: 450 hp = 456 PS = 336 kW

Modern trend: Manufacturers increasingly list all three (PS, hp, kW)

Why does Europe use PS instead of hp?

Historical: Metric system adoption in Continental Europe

Definition basis:

  • PS based on metric units (75 kg lifted 1 m in 1 s)
  • hp based on imperial units (550 lb lifted 1 ft in 1 s)

Current practice:

  • Official: kW is legal unit (EU regulations)
  • Marketing: PS still widely used in car advertising
  • Dual listing: Most specs show "kW (PS)" format

Example spec: "110 kW (150 PS)" on European car brochures

How do I compare engine specs in different units?

Three common formats:

  1. US/Canada: hp (horsepower mechanical)
  2. Europe/Asia: PS (metric horsepower)
  3. International: kW (kilowatts)

Quick comparison table:

| hp | PS | kW | |-----|-----|-----| | 100 | 101 | 75 | | 150 | 152 | 112 | | 200 | 203 | 149 | | 300 | 304 | 224 |

Conversion shortcuts:

  • hp ≈ PS (within 1-2%)
  • kW × 1.36 ≈ PS
  • hp × 0.746 ≈ kW

Example: Car rated at 184 PS = 181 hp = 135 kW (all same power)

Conversion Table: Gigawatt to Metric Horsepower

Gigawatt (GW)Metric Horsepower (PS)
0.5679,810.809
11,359,621.617
1.52,039,432.426
22,719,243.235
56,798,108.087
1013,596,216.173
2533,990,540.433
5067,981,080.865
100135,962,161.73
250339,905,404.326
500679,810,808.652
1,0001,359,621,617.304

People Also Ask

How do I convert Gigawatt to Metric Horsepower?

To convert Gigawatt to Metric 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 Metric Horsepower?

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

Yes! You can easily convert Metric Horsepower back to Gigawatt by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Metric 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 Metric Horsepower?

Gigawatt and Metric 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.

Helpful Conversion Guides

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📚 How to Convert Units

Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.

🔢 Conversion Formulas

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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial

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⚠️ Common Mistakes

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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