Learn how to power your base in Subnautica 2, every power source explained, how to extend range with Power Transmitters, and how to store excess energy.
Table of Contents
All Power Sources in Subnautica 2
Before building anything, keep an eye on the top left corner of your screen when near your base. The blue bar shows incoming power. The red bar shows your total power draw. If red overtakes blue, your oxygen production stops and all interior machines shut down.
| Power Source | Output | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel | 1-8 energy/sec | Shallow bases near the surface. Stops working at night and past 200m depth. |
| Hydroelectric Turbine | 12 energy/sec | Bases near underwater currents. Requires Power Transmitters. |
| Bioreactor | 1-20 energy/sec | Any location. Placed inside a base. Requires organic matter to run. |
| Thermal Plant | 1-16 energy/sec | Hot biomes such as the Graveyard or Zezuran Desert. Requires Power Transmitters. |
| Battery Terminal | - | Charges batteries for tools and equipment inside your base. |
| Power Cell Terminal | - | Charges power cells for vehicles. |
Solar Panels
| How to Unlock | Recipe | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Available from the start | Titanium x1 Quartz x2 | 1-8 energy/sec |
Solar Panels are your first power source and the cheapest to build. Place them on the exterior of your base using the Habitat Builder. They convert sunlight into power automatically.
| Tip! | Solar Panel output drops at night and stops entirely past 200 meters depth. Use a Power Storage or pair with other energy sources. |
|---|
Hydroelectric Turbines
| How to Unlock | Recipe | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Scan two Hydroelectric Turbines | Titanium x3 Copper x3 Silver x3 | 12 energy/sec |
Hydroelectric Turbines produce more power than Solar Panels, with the only requirement that you build them on natural underwater currents, which appear as wavy blue wind tunnels that pull you through when you swim into them. Multiple turbines can be placed in the same current.
| Tip! | Power Transmitters are required to carry the energy back to your base. Chain them in a line from the turbine to your base exterior. |
|---|
Bioreactor
| How to Unlock | Recipe | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Scan two Bioreactors | Titanium Ingot x2 Copper Ingot x2 | 10-20 energy/sec |
The only power source placed inside a base rather than on the exterior. It runs on organic matter such as plants, fish, and food, making it usable anywhere in any biome. It has two modes:
Normal Mode: 10 energy per second. Standard consumption of organic matter.
Overdrive Mode: 20 energy per second. Burns through organic matter twice as fast. Best used for temporary power spikes during the night or when running high-demand machines.
| Tip! | Early on, hold off on burning resources in the Bioreactor since you will need plants and fish for food and crafting. Once you have Growbeds running, the Bioreactor becomes a much more sustainable option. |
|---|
Thermal Plant
| How to Unlock | Recipe | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Scan two Thermal Plants | Titanium x3 Copper x3 Gold x3 | 1-16 energy/sec |
Thermal Plants convert heat into power. Place them directly in magma vents to get a maximum output of 16 energy per second. The best locations include the Graveyard biome, the Zezuran Desert, and the hot caves beneath the Karakorum region.
| Tip! | Like Hydroelectric Turbines, Power Transmitters are required to connect a Thermal Plant to a base. |
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How to Use Power Transmitters
| How to Unlock | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Scan one Power Transmitter | Titanium x1 Copper x1 |
Power Transmitters carry power from an energy source to your base. Place them in a chain, one after another, with the final transmitter attached to your base exterior.
Power Storage
Power Storage units are mounted on interior walls and store excess energy for later use. When your power generation outpaces your draw, surplus energy fills the storage reserve. During high-consumption or when Solar Panels drop off at night, the reserve kicks in to prevent a power failure.
| Notice! | Subnautica 2 is in Early Access. Power source stats and availability may change in future updates. |
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Related Articles
Recommended Guides
 Walkthrough (Early to Late-Game) |  Plant Farming Guide |  Cooking and Recipes Guide |
 Best Biomods |  Best Tadpole Upgrades |  Metal Farm Guide |
| Progression & Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|
 Early Game |  Mid-Game | Late Game |
Lists
 All Leviathans |  All Items List |  Biomes & PoI List |
 Blackbox List |  Recipe Data Cards (Blueprints) |  Vehicle List |
 Buildings & Facilities List |
Salt
Silver
Copper
Lead
Lucifer Rotsac
Conduit Crystals
Creature Enamel
Enameled Glass
Troilite
Celestine
Multiplayer Guide
How to Eat Food (Digestion)
How to Craft Items
Drinking Water Guide
How to Craft Air Tank?
How to Get Basic Fins
Scanner Station Guide
How to Manage Your Oxygen?
Base Guide
Alien Ruins
How to Use Coordinates
Tadpole Guide
How to Get More Storage
How to Get a Rebreather
Bioscanner Guide
Night Survival Guide
How to Heal
Angel Comb Guide
How to Recharge Batteries and Tools
How to Get the Repair Tool
World Tree Guide
Flashlight Guide
Strong Acid Guide
Specs Requirements
New Game Features
Is There Crossplay?
Supported Devices
Update & Roadmap
How Long to Beat?
Can You Play Subnautica 2 on PS5 and PS4?
Is Subnautica 2 on Xbox?
Is Subnautica 2 on Steam?
