TNG Technical Manual

• 7.0: Replicator Systems - These devices permit replication of virtually any inanimate object with incredible fidelity and relatively low energy cost. […] The food replicators are optimized for a finer degree of resolution because of the necessity of accurately replicating the chemical composition of food stuffs. Hardware replicators, on the other hand, are generally tuned to a lower resolution for greater energy efficiency and lower memory matrix requirements. [pg. 90]

• 13.5: Food Replication Systems - This system is relatively expensive to operate in terms of mass of the hardware involved and the energy cost of operation, but it is a significant savings over a traditional food storage and preparation system.

So that book doesn’t state any specific amount of energy that’s used, just that the replicators do use a lot of energy overall but that the energy costs are outweighed by storage/preparation savings.

Voyager has the explanation of energy/foodstock shortages (A part that I didn’t include was the mention of using a base organic suspension to use during replication) as the reason as to why Neelix and his kitchen is so active. They also use replicator rationing for the same reason. Energy costs are mentioned throughout the show. Presumably the replicator system is not that expensive if you have a regular supply of dilithium/fuel source but if it isn’t steady then the cost becomes too great. So the energy cost cannot be insignificant in anyway. DS9 had it’s own replicator rationing as well to conserve power and that’s a space station. There’s also mention of power being rerouted from replicator systems during Alerts to make sure all power is available. According to Memory Alpha there’s also the bit in The Child in TNG where Geordi has to replicate 512 items which puts a significant drain on the warp core. Granted that’s a huge amount but does go to show that the power requirements are pretty intensive.

Conclusion: 1 banana = many power

Hold on, I’m gonna check my TNG Tech Manual. Need an excuse to keep the bad thoughts out.

1.21 gigawatts, duh!

Or… More ready than you’ll ever be

That’s the point, though. He’s correcting himself for children, but he corrects the wrong part.