Choose a Measurement
Select a measurement and convert between different units
Single conversion
To convert from Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (British) (hp), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s) and Watt (W).
Let's convert 5 Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (British) (hp).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Gigawatt (GW) is equal to Horsepower (British) (hp).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Gigawatt (GW) to Horsepower (British) (hp):
| Gigawatts | Horsepower (British) |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 GW | hp |
| 0.001 GW | hp |
| 0.1 GW | hp |
| 1 GW | hp |
| 2 GW | hp |
| 3 GW | hp |
| 4 GW | hp |
| 5 GW | hp |
| 6 GW | hp |
| 7 GW | hp |
| 8 GW | hp |
| 9 GW | hp |
| 10 GW | hp |
| 20 GW | hp |
| 30 GW | hp |
| 40 GW | hp |
| 50 GW | hp |
| 100 GW | hp |
| 1000 GW | hp |
| 10000 GW | hp |
A Gigawatt (GW) is a unit of power equal to one billion watts ( 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.
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:
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.
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.
British horsepower (hp) is a unit used to measure power, most commonly in the imperial system of measurement.
It was initially created to describe the amount of work a horse could do over a period of time.
In simple terms, one horsepower is defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds by a distance of one foot in just one second.
The concept of horsepower was invented by Scottish engineer James Watt in the late 18th century.
To help sell his new steam engines, he needed a simple way to compare their power to something people already understood: the strength of a draft horse.
After observing horses at work, Watt calculated that an average horse could lift 550 pounds at a rate of one foot per second.
He established this value as the standard for one horsepower (hp), creating a brilliant marketing tool that is still used today.
It can be hard to picture what "550 foot-pounds per second" feels like. Here's a more modern way to think about it:
Imagine lifting a 55-pound bag of dog food 10 feet into the air in just one second.
The power you would need to do that is roughly equal to one horsepower.
This simple standard created a practical way to measure and compare the power of different engines and motors.
In modern science and most parts of the world, the standard unit for power is the watt (W), named after James Watt.
The conversion between horsepower and watts is essential for comparing specifications on modern electronics and machinery.
The conversion is:
This means an engine rated at 10 hp has a power output of approximately 7,457 watts, or about 7.5 kilowatts (kW).