WORLD NUCLEAR ENERGY
From capacity to generation
MW is a rate. MWh is energy over time.
Use compatible units
A net electrical rating in megawatts describes the plant’s electrical capacity. Multiplying that rating by a period in hours and an assumed capacity factor gives an illustrative energy quantity in megawatt-hours. One thousand MWh is one GWh; one million MWh is one TWh.
Make the assumption visible
Capacity factor is the ratio of energy over the chosen period to the energy that would be produced at the stated capacity for the whole period. In this tool it is an input, not a prediction for a design or site.
The demonstration does not add a separate availability multiplier because that would risk counting the same reduction twice. The year can have 365 or 366 days. Zero capacity, units or capacity factor produces zero annual output.
Keep the limit attached
An annual energy quantity cannot establish firm capacity, plant availability at a particular time, system reliability or the suitability of a project. Use a dedicated study for those questions.