XML 73 R62.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Effect of ASC 815 on accumulated OCI balance attributable to hedge derivatives, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2017
Reclassified from accumulated OCI to income: |  |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax | $ 6 | $ 14
Losses expected to be realized from OCI during the next twelve months, tax | 2 |
Interest rate contracts |  |
Effects of ASC 815 on NRG's Accumulated OCI Balance Attributable to Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives, net of tax |  |
Accumulated OCI beginning balance | (54) | (66)
Reclassified from accumulated OCI to income: |  |
Due to realization of previously deferred amounts | 4 | 3
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts | 19 | 2
Accumulated OCI ending balance, net of $6, and $14 tax | (31) | (61)
Losses expected to be realized from OCI during the next 12 months, net of $2 tax | $ (9) |

X
- Definition Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Change in Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Tax Amount + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nrg_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangeInGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesTaxAmount
Namespace Prefix: | nrg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition -- None. No documentation exists for this element. -- + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nrg_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | nrg_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The estimated tax impact of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges, at the reporting date, which are expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nrg_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonthsTax
Namespace Prefix: | nrg_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80784-113994 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80748-113994 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624177-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |