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Megawatt to Electric Horsepower Converter

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

Quick Answer

1 Megawatt = 1340.482574 hp(E)

Formula: Megawatt × 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

Megawatt to Electric Horsepower Calculator

How to Use the Megawatt to Electric Horsepower Calculator:

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

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

Formula:

hp(E) = MW × 1340.48

Example Calculation:

1 MW = 1340.482574 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

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What is a Megawatt and a Electric Horsepower?

1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1,000 kW = 1,341 hp = 3.412 million BTU/h = 0.001 GW

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 Megawatt 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: megawatts vs hp(E)

Explore the typical applications for both Megawatt (imperial/US) and Electric Horsepower (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for megawatts

Renewable Energy: Wind turbines (2-15 MW), solar farms (1-100 MW). Power Generation: Small power plants, gas turbines, diesel generators. Industrial: Large factories, manufacturing plants, mining operations. Data Centers: Hyperscale facilities (20-100 MW), server farms.

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 Megawatt (MW)

How do I convert MW to kW or W?

Formula:

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

Examples:

  • 1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
  • 5 MW = 5,000 kW = 5,000,000 W
  • 2.5 MW = 2,500 kW = 2,500,000 W
  • 0.5 MW = 500 kW = 500,000 W

MW to kW converter → MW to Watts converter →

How many homes can 1 MW power?

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

1 MW = 1,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833 homes (average load)

Regional variations:

  • High AC use (Arizona, Texas): ~600-700 homes
  • Moderate climate: ~700-900 homes
  • Mild climate: ~900-1,200 homes

Peak vs average:

  • Average load: 1 MW = 800-900 homes
  • Peak load (summer afternoon): 1 MW = 300-500 homes

Example: 5 MW wind turbine powers ~4,000 homes on average

What is the difference between MW and MWh?

MW (Megawatt) = Power (rate of energy use/generation right now) MWh (Megawatt-hour) = Energy (total amount over time)

Analogy:

  • MW = speedometer (speed right now)
  • MWh = odometer (total distance traveled)

Example:

  • 5 MW solar farm × 6 hours = 30 MWh energy produced
  • 10 MW data center × 24 hours = 240 MWh daily consumption

Power plant ratings: Always in MW (capacity) Energy production/consumption: Measured in MWh or GWh

How much does a 1 MW power plant produce per year?

Formula: Annual MWh = MW × hours/year × capacity factor

1 MW at 100% capacity: 8,760 MWh/year (365 days × 24 hours)

Realistic production (accounting for capacity factor):

Nuclear: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 90% = 7,884 MWh/year Coal: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 50% = 4,380 MWh/year Wind: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 35% = 3,066 MWh/year Solar: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 25% = 2,190 MWh/year

Example: 5 MW wind turbine produces ~15,330 MWh/year (~1,700 homes)

How big is a 1 MW solar farm?

Solar panel efficiency: ~400W per panel (modern, 2024) Panels needed: 1,000,000 W ÷ 400 W = 2,500 panels

Land area:

  • Fixed tilt: 4-5 acres per MW
  • Single-axis tracking: 6-8 acres per MW
  • Dual-axis tracking: 8-10 acres per MW

1 MW solar farm typical specs:

  • Panels: 2,500-3,000 (400W each)
  • Land: 5-7 acres
  • Annual production: 1,500-2,500 MWh (depending on location)
  • Homes powered: ~150-250 homes

Scaling: 100 MW solar farm = 500-700 acres (varies by location, technology)

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: Megawatt to Electric Horsepower

Megawatt (MW)Electric Horsepower (hp(E))
0.5670.241
11,340.483
1.52,010.724
22,680.965
56,702.413
1013,404.826
2533,512.064
5067,024.129
100134,048.257
250335,120.643
500670,241.287
1,0001,340,482.574

People Also Ask

How do I convert Megawatt to Electric Horsepower?

To convert Megawatt to Electric Horsepower, enter the value in Megawatt 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 Megawatt to Electric Horsepower?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Megawatt 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 Megawatt?

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

Learn more →

What are common uses for Megawatt and Electric Horsepower?

Megawatt 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