Convert Power from Megawatts to Horsepower (metric) (MW to PS)

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Megawatt to Horsepower (metric) Conversion Formula

To convert from Megawatt (MW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS), use the following formula:

Horsepower (metric) (PS)

= 106 × 1735.49875× Megawatt (MW)

= 1359.6216173039043234× Megawatt (MW)


Example

Let's convert 5 Megawatt (MW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS).

Using the formula:

5 × 1359.6216173039043234 = 6798.108086519521617

Therefore, 5 Megawatt (MW) is equal to 6798.108086519521617 Horsepower (metric) (PS).

How many megawatts are in one horsepower (metric)? One Horsepower (metric) (PS) contains 0.00073549875 Megawatts (MW) — the inverse of the factor above. Multiplying by 1359.6216173039043234 takes you from megawatts to horsepower (metric); multiplying by 0.00073549875 brings you back.

Put in words: one megawatt equals 1359.6216173039043234 horsepower (metric), so the megawatt 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 Megawatt (MW)?

A megawatt (MW) is a unit used to measure power.

It's equal to one million watts.

To put it simply, it's a way to describe a huge amount of electricity being used or generated at a single moment.


How Many Homes Can 1 MW Power?

One megawatt (1 MW) can power between 750 and 1,000 homes at any given moment.

This number can change depending on what's running in each home (like air conditioning on a hot day).

It's a helpful estimate used by grid operators to understand how much electricity a community needs.


The Difference: Megawatt (MW) vs. Megawatt-hour (MWh)

It's easy to mix up megawatts (MW) and megawatt-hours (MWh). Here's a simple way to understand the difference between MW vs. MWh:

  • Megawatt (MW) measures power, or how fast energy is being used right now. Think of it as the speed of electricity.
  • Megawatt-hour (MWh) measures energy, or the total amount of electricity used over a period of time. This is the volume of electricity used.

So, a power plant has a capacity measured in MW (how much electricity it can make at once).

In contrast, your electricity bill shows your consumption in MWh (how much you actually used over a month).


How Big is a Megawatt? Real-World Examples

A megawatt is a tremendous amount of power. To understand its scale, here's a look at the capacity of different power sources:

  • Onshore Wind Turbine: 2 to 5 MW
  • Utility-Scale Solar Farm: 50 to 500 MW
  • Modern Nuclear Power Plant: Over 1,000 MW (which is 1 gigawatt or GW)

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

Megawatt to Horsepower (metric) Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Megawatt (MW) to Horsepower (metric) (PS):

MegawattsHorsepower (metric)
0.000001 MW0.0013596216173039043234 PS
0.001 MW1.3596216173039043234 PS
0.1 MW135.96216173039043234 PS
1 MW1359.6216173039043234 PS
2 MW2719.2432346078086468 PS
3 MW4078.8648519117129702 PS
4 MW5438.4864692156172936 PS
5 MW6798.108086519521617 PS
6 MW8157.7297038234259404 PS
7 MW9517.3513211273302638 PS
8 MW10876.972938431234587 PS
9 MW12236.594555735138911 PS
10 MW13596.216173039043234 PS
20 MW27192.432346078086468 PS
30 MW40788.648519117129702 PS
40 MW54384.864692156172936 PS
50 MW67981.08086519521617 PS
100 MW135962.16173039043234 PS
1000 MW1359621.6173039043234 PS
10000 MW13596216.173039043234 PS