1 terawatt
1 TWPower · definition
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Power
Just how powerful is 1 terawatt?
Large systems
1 TW
ENERGY EACH SECOND
1 terawatt
The quantity is exact as entered.
1 TWPower
0
Large grid demand
The total electrical power required by all users connected to a large electricity grid at a given moment.
40 GWPower
0
Power is energy per unit time: one watt is one joule per second.
A little perspective
1 terawatt is about 25 times the demand on a large electricity grid.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
1 terawatt
Power: 1 TW; definition.
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Large grid demand
Power: 40 GW; example.
A defined 40 GW power snapshot, not a claim about a named country or current demand.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked power is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
Compare 1 terawatt with the demand on a large electricity grid. The notes below explain how each value was chosen.
Large grid demand
40 GWPower · example
A defined 40 GW power snapshot, not a claim about a named country or current demand.
- Comparing
- Power ↔ Power
- Relative size
- 1 terawatt is about 25 times the demand on a large electricity grid.
How to read the visual
The diagram uses the recorded measurements. Details outside the marked spans do not set the scale.
- The demand on a large electricity grid: This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
Power is the rate of energy transfer or use, not the total energy.
1 × 10¹² Wwatts
1.341 × 10⁹ hpmechanical horsepower
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
A little smaller. A little larger.