XML 69 R39.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Funds Deposited to Cash Flow | The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and funds deposited by counterparties reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.
| Year Ended December 31,
| 2017 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
| (In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 991 |  |  | $ | 938 |  |  | $ | 853 |
Funds deposited by counterparties | 37 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 55 |
Restricted cash | 508 |  |  | 446 |  |  | 414 |
Cash and cash equivalents, funds deposited by counterparties and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows | $ | 1,536 |  |  | $ | 1,386 |  |  | $ | 1,322 |
Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest | The following table reflects the changes in the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interest balance for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
| (In millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2014 | $ | 19 |
Cash contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest | 27 |
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (17 | )
Balance as of December 31, 2015 | 29 |
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (1 | )
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest | 33 |
Non-cash adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 23 |
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (38 | )
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | 46 |
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (2 | )
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest | 99 |
Non-cash adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 7 |
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | (72 | )
Balance as of December 31, 2017 | $ | 78 |

X
- Definition Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Funds Deposited to Cash Flow + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nrg_ReconciliationofCashandCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashandFundsDepositedtoCashFlowTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | nrg_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of redeemable noncontrolling interest (as defined) included in the statement of financial position as either a liability or temporary equity. As of the date of the statement of financial position, such redeemable noncontrolling interest is currently redeemable, as defined, for cash or other assets of the entity at (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration