Convert Power from Gigawatts to Horsepower (metric) (GW to PS)

Select a category and enter your values below

Single conversion

Gigawatt to Horsepower (metric) Conversion Formula

To convert from Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS), use the following formula:

Horsepower (metric) (PS)

= 109 × 1735.49875× Gigawatt (GW)

= 1359621.6173039043234× Gigawatt (GW)


Example

Let's convert 5 Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS).

Using the formula:

5 × 1359621.6173039043234 = 6798108.086519521617

Therefore, 5 Gigawatt (GW) is equal to 6798108.086519521617 Horsepower (metric) (PS).

How many gigawatts are in one horsepower (metric)? One Horsepower (metric) (PS) contains 7.3549875× 10-7 Gigawatts (GW) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 1359621.6173039043234 takes you from gigawatts to horsepower (metric); multiplying by 7.3549875× 10-7 brings you back.

Put in words: one gigawatt equals 1359621.6173039043234 horsepower (metric), so the gigawatt is the larger unit of this pair. Converting between them never changes the amount of power being measured — only the size of the unit you count it in.

What is a Gigawatt (GW)?

A Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of power equal to one billion watts (109 W) or 1,000 megawatts.

It represents a significant amount of energy. To visualize this scale, a single gigawatt is roughly the amount of power generated by one large nuclear power plant.

This level of power is sufficient to supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes simultaneously.


How Are Gigawatts Used in Modern Energy?

The gigawatt is a standard unit for measuring the output of large-scale power generation facilities and national energy grids.

The capacity of major power sources is typically measured in gigawatts, including:

  • Hydroelectric dams
  • Large solar farms
  • Coal-fired power plants
  • Offshore wind farms

For example, a major offshore wind farm can have a generating capacity of over 1 GW, highlighting its importance in renewable energy planning and infrastructure development.


Why Is "1.21 Gigawatts" So Famous?

The term "gigawatt" gained widespread recognition through the classic 1985 film Back to the Future.

The iconic line "1.21 gigawatts!," delivered by Dr. Emmett Brown, refers to the immense power needed for the DeLorean time machine.

While often mispronounced as "jigowatt" in the movie, this famous quote introduced a massive audience to this unit of electrical power, cementing its place in popular culture.

What is Metric Horsepower (PS)?

Metric horsepower, often abbreviated as PS, is a common unit used to measure the power of an engine, especially for cars and motorcycles from Europe and Asia.

If you have ever looked at car specifications from a German or Japanese brand, you have likely seen this term.

Defined within the metric system, it is the power needed to lift a 75-kilogram mass one meter vertically in one second.

In more technical terms, one metric horsepower is precisely equal to 735.49875 watts (W). This standard is essential for accurately comparing the power of different engines, particularly when dealing with international vehicle specifications.


Where Does the Abbreviation "PS" Come From?

The abbreviation "PS" comes from the German word Pferdestärke, which literally translates to "horse strength" or horsepower.

This term originated in 19th-century Germany and quickly became the standard for measuring automotive power across much of Europe and Asia. Its widespread adoption reflects the metric system's dominance in those regions for scientific and industrial measurements.


What's the Difference Between Metric (PS) and Mechanical (hp) Horsepower?

While they sound almost identical, metric horsepower (PS) is not the same as the mechanical horsepower (hp) commonly used in the United States and the UK.

The key difference lies in their wattage equivalent. This small but important distinction is critical when you want to compare vehicle performance specifications from different markets accurately.

For example, a car advertised with 200 PS has slightly less power than a car advertised with 200 hp.

Here's a simple breakdown of the differences:

FeatureMetric Horsepower (PS)Mechanical Horsepower (hp)
Commonly Used InEurope, AsiaUnited States, UK
Wattage Equivalent~735.5 W~745.7 W
Relation to Each Other1 PS ≈ 0.986 hp1 hp ≈ 1.014 PS

Gigawatt to Horsepower (metric) Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS):

GigawattsHorsepower (metric)
0.000001 GW1.3596216173039043234 PS
0.001 GW1359.6216173039043234 PS
0.1 GW135962.16173039043234 PS
1 GW1359621.6173039043234 PS
2 GW2719243.2346078086468 PS
3 GW4078864.8519117129702 PS
4 GW5438486.4692156172936 PS
5 GW6798108.086519521617 PS
6 GW8157729.7038234259404 PS
7 GW9517351.3211273302638 PS
8 GW10876972.938431234587 PS
9 GW12236594.555735138911 PS
10 GW13596216.173039043234 PS
20 GW27192432.346078086468 PS
30 GW40788648.519117129702 PS
40 GW54384864.692156172936 PS
50 GW67981080.86519521617 PS
100 GW135962161.73039043234 PS
1000 GW1359621617.3039043234 PS
10000 GW13596216173.039043234 PS