v2.4.0.8
Guarantees and condensed consolidating financial information (Details 5) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows    
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 143.3 $ 124.1
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:    
Proceeds from treasury grant 103.2  
Proceeds for sale of assets 183.0  
Change in restricted cash (99.1) (105.5)
Biomass development costs (0.1) (0.4)
Construction in progress (32.2) (336.0)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (7.2) (1.2)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities 147.6 (415.5)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:    
Offering costs related to tax equity (1.0)  
Repayment of project-level debt (115.4) (12.1)
Proceeds from project-level debt 20.8 261.3
Payments for revolving credit facility borrowings (67.0) (60.8)
Equity investment from noncontrolling interest 44.6  
Deferred financing costs (0.5) (25.3)
Dividends paid (68.1) (108.2)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (186.6) 275.4
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 104.3  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 60.2 60.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 170.7 42.9
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable legal entities
   
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows    
Net cash provided by operating activities 69.8  
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:    
Proceeds from treasury grant 103.2  
Proceeds for sale of assets 183.0  
Cash (paid) received for equity investments 8.5  
Change in restricted cash (99.1)  
Biomass development costs (0.1)  
Construction in progress (32.2)  
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (4.8)  
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities 158.5  
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:    
Offering costs related to tax equity (1.0)  
Repayment of project-level debt (115.3)  
Proceeds from project-level debt 20.8  
Payments for revolving credit facility borrowings (47.0)  
Equity investment from noncontrolling interest 42.6  
Deferred financing costs (0.5)  
Dividends paid (13.9)  
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (114.3)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 114.0  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 49.5  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 163.5  
Curtis Palmer | Reportable legal entities
   
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows    
Net cash provided by operating activities 2.4  
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:    
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2.4)  
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities (2.4)  
Atlantic Power | Reportable legal entities
   
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows    
Net cash provided by operating activities 71.1  
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:    
Cash (paid) received for equity investments (8.5)  
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities (8.5)  
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:    
Payments for revolving credit facility borrowings (20.0)  
Equity investment from noncontrolling interest 1.9  
Dividends paid (54.2)  
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (72.3)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (9.7)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 16.9  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 7.2