50megawatt

50 megawatt (50 MW) is a unit of electrical power equal to 50 million watts. In the context of electricity generation, 50 MW describes the nameplate or maximum continuous output that a generator, turbine, or power plant can deliver under specified conditions. Power is distinct from energy, which would be measured in watt-hours or megawatt-hours.

Facilities rated at 50 MW are commonly used for mid-sized power projects such as wind farms, solar photovoltaic installations, hydroelectric facilities, and natural gas or diesel-fired plants. The actual output depends on capacity factor and operating conditions and will vary over time.

The annual energy production from a 50 MW facility is its capacity factor times 50 MW times the number of hours in a year (about 8,760 hours). For example, at a 40% capacity factor it would yield roughly 175,000 MWh per year.

Scale and configuration vary by technology. A 50 MW solar installation may require hundreds of acres depending on technology and local conditions; a wind farm of similar capacity might use a dozen to two dozen turbines, each rated between 2 and 4 MW.

Grid integration and siting are important considerations for projects of this size. They are typically connected to transmission networks and planned with grid operators to meet reliability requirements. The capacity rating reflects maximum potential output under ideal conditions and does not guarantee constant delivery.

See also: megawatt, megawatt-hour, capacity factor.