v2.4.0.8
Guarantees and condensed consolidating financial information (Details 3) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Project revenue:        
Total project revenue $ 139,000,000 $ 101,400,000 $ 279,200,000 $ 220,100,000
Project expenses:        
Fuel 52,000,000 37,300,000 101,600,000 83,500,000
Project operations and maintenance 46,900,000 37,900,000 75,200,000 62,600,000
Development 1,800,000   3,500,000  
Depreciation and amortization 42,200,000 30,300,000 83,500,000 56,800,000
Total project expenses 142,900,000 105,500,000 263,800,000 202,900,000
Project other income (expense):        
Change in fair value of derivative instruments 24,300,000 (4,800,000) 36,900,000 (62,000,000)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 8,700,000 5,500,000 15,900,000 8,400,000
Interest expense, net (8,700,000) (4,100,000) (16,700,000) (8,100,000)
Other (4,800,000)   (4,800,000)  
Total project other income (expense) 19,500,000 (3,400,000) 31,300,000 (61,700,000)
Project income (loss) 15,600,000 (7,500,000) 46,700,000 (44,500,000)
Administrative and other expenses (income):        
Administration expense 11,800,000 8,000,000 20,100,000 15,700,000
Interest, net 25,300,000 21,400,000 51,200,000 43,400,000
Foreign exchange gain 14,500,000 4,200,000 22,000,000 3,200,000
Other income (9,500,000) (6,000,000) (9,500,000) (6,000,000)
Total administrative and other expenses (income) 13,100,000 19,200,000 39,800,000 49,900,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 2,500,000 (26,700,000) 6,900,000 (94,400,000)
Income tax benefit 600,000 (5,300,000) (1,900,000) (22,200,000)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 1,900,000 (21,400,000) 8,800,000 (72,200,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (700,000) 19,300,000 200,000 30,900,000
Net income (loss) 1,200,000 (2,100,000) 9,000,000 (41,300,000)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 4,700,000   6,000,000  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,100,000 (200,000) (800,000) (300,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation (3,000,000) (5,100,000) 3,500,000 (47,400,000)
Guarantor Subsidiaries
        
Project revenue:        
Total project revenue 128,300,000   259,900,000  
Project expenses:        
Fuel 52,000,000   101,600,000  
Project operations and maintenance 47,600,000   74,100,000  
Development 1,800,000   3,500,000  
Depreciation and amortization 38,300,000   75,800,000  
Total project expenses 139,700,000   255,000,000  
Project other income (expense):        
Change in fair value of derivative instruments 24,300,000   36,900,000  
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 8,700,000   15,900,000  
Interest expense, net (5,900,000)   (11,100,000)  
Other (5,100,000)   (5,100,000)  
Total project other income (expense) 22,000,000   36,600,000  
Project income (loss) 10,600,000   41,500,000  
Administrative and other expenses (income):        
Administration expense 5,800,000   10,400,000  
Interest, net 18,900,000   38,200,000  
Foreign exchange gain (5,500,000)   (8,000,000)  
Other income (9,500,000)   (9,500,000)  
Total administrative and other expenses (income) 9,700,000   31,100,000  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 900,000   10,400,000  
Income tax benefit 600,000   (1,900,000)  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 300,000   12,300,000  
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (700,000)   200,000  
Net income (loss) (400,000)   12,500,000  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,100,000   (800,000)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation (1,500,000)   13,300,000  
Curtis Palmer
        
Project revenue:        
Total project revenue 10,800,000   19,600,000  
Project expenses:        
Project operations and maintenance (700,000)   900,000  
Depreciation and amortization 3,900,000   7,700,000  
Total project expenses 3,200,000   8,600,000  
Project other income (expense):        
Interest expense, net     (5,600,000)  
Total project other income (expense) (2,800,000)   (5,600,000)  
Project income (loss) 4,800,000   5,400,000  
Administrative and other expenses (income):        
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 4,800,000   5,400,000  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 4,800,000   5,400,000  
Net income (loss) 4,800,000   5,400,000  
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation 4,800,000   5,400,000  
Atlantic Power
        
Project expenses:        
Project operations and maintenance 200,000   500,000  
Total project expenses 200,000   500,000  
Project other income (expense):        
Other 300,000   300,000  
Total project other income (expense) 300,000   300,000  
Project income (loss) 100,000   (200,000)  
Administrative and other expenses (income):        
Administration expense 6,000,000   9,700,000  
Interest, net 6,400,000   13,000,000  
Foreign exchange gain (9,000,000)   (14,000,000)  
Total administrative and other expenses (income) 3,400,000   8,700,000  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (3,300,000)   (8,900,000)  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (3,300,000)   (8,900,000)  
Net income (loss) (3,300,000)   (8,900,000)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation (3,300,000)   (8,900,000)  
Eliminations
        
Project revenue:        
Total project revenue (100,000)   (300,000)  
Project expenses:        
Project operations and maintenance (200,000)   (300,000)  
Total project expenses (200,000)   (300,000)  
Project other income (expense):        
Project income (loss) 100,000      
Administrative and other expenses (income):        
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 100,000      
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 100,000      
Net income (loss) 100,000      
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 3,100,000   6,300,000  
Net income (loss) attributable to Atlantic Power Corporation $ (3,000,000)   $ (6,300,000)