What is a negawatt?

Quite simply, a negawatt is a way to measure energy efficiency or simpler yet: A megawatt saved is a negawatt earned. Essentially a negawatt is a negative megawatt or a megawatt of power that is not yet produced or expended but it represents a unit of energy saved.

The origin of the word negawatt goes back to 1989 when environmentalist and energy efficiency expert Amory Lewis made a simple typo on a Colorado Public Utilities Commission report and used negawatt instead of megawatt. The misspelling perfectly captured Lovins' concept of a watt of electricity saved due to conservation efforts but still available for use. The term negawatt first used by Lovins was then adopted and is still prevelent today. Information regarding negawatts and energy efficiency can be found in the latest report from the United Nations entitled "Energy for a Sustainable Future."