v3.5.0.2
Nature of business (Details)
$ in Millions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
state
project
item
MW
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Nature of business    
Gross generating capacity of project (in MW) | MW 2,138  
Ownership interest in operational power generation projects (in MW) | MW 1,500  
Number of operational power generation projects | project 23  
Number of states in which power generation projects operate | state 9  
Number of provinces in which power generation projects operate | item 2  
Number of projects which are majority owned | project 18  
Recent accounting pronouncements adopted    
Long term debt and convertible debentures | $ $ 778.9 $ 682.7
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 | Restatement Adjustment    
Recent accounting pronouncements adopted    
Long term debt and convertible debentures | $ $ 19.5 $ 42.5