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Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Net Notional Volume Buy/(sell) of NRG's Open Derivative Transactions Broken Out By Commodity

The following table summarizes the net notional volume buy/(sell) of NRG's open derivative transactions broken out by commodity, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the NPNS exception as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Option contracts are reflected using delta volume. Delta volume equals the notional volume of an option adjusted for the probability that the option will be in-the-money at its expiration date.

(In millions)						Total Volume
Commodity			Units			December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
Emissions			Short Ton			3						(2)
Renewables Energy Certificates			Certificates			1						1
Coal			Short Ton			10						13
Natural Gas			MMBtu			(181)						(330)
Oil			Barrels			—						1
Power			MWh			38						1
Capacity			MW/Day			(1)						(1)
Interest			Dollars			$	—					$	1,000

Fair Value Within the Derivative Instrument Valuation On the Balance Sheet

The following table summarizes the fair value within the derivative instrument valuation on the balance sheet:

			Fair Value
			Derivative Assets																		Derivative Liabilities
(In millions)			December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018						December 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges:
Interest rate contracts current			$	—					$	17					$	—					$	—
Interest rate contracts long-term			—						22						—						—
Commodity contracts current			860						747						781						673
Commodity contracts long-term			310						295						322						304
Total Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedges			$	1,170					$	1,081					$	1,103					$	977

Offsetting of Derivatives by Counterparty Master Agreement Level and Collateral Received Or Paid

The following table summarizes the offsetting derivatives by counterparty master agreement level and collateral received or paid:

			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
(In millions)			Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities						Derivative Instruments						Cash Collateral (Held)/Posted						Net Amount
As of December 31, 2019
Commodity contracts:
Derivative assets			$	1,170					$	(909)					$	(7)					$	254
Derivative liabilities			(1,103)						909						73						(121)
Total commodity contracts			$	67					$	—					$	66					$	133

			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
(In millions)			Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities						Derivative Instruments						Cash Collateral (Held)/Posted						Net Amount
As of December 31, 2018
Commodity contracts:
Derivative assets			$	1,042					$	(778)					$	(31)					$	233
Derivative liabilities			(977)						778						114						(85)
Total commodity contracts			65						—						83						148
Interest rate contracts:
Derivative assets			39						—						—						39
Total interest rate contracts			39						—						—						39
Total derivative instruments			$	104					$	—					$	83					$	187

Effects on the Company's Accumulated OCI Balance Attributable to Cash Flow Hedge Derivatives, Net of Tax

The following table summarizes the effects on NRG's accumulated OCI balance attributable to cash flow hedge derivatives, net of tax, for the years 2018 and 2017. As of December 31, 2019, NRG had no interest rate derivative instruments as a result of the early termination of such contracts in connection with the repayment of the 2023 Term Loan Facility, as further discussed in Note 13, Debt and Finance Leases.

																					Interest Rate Contracts
(In millions)																					2018						2017
Accumulated OCI beginning balance																					$	(54)					$	(66)
Reclassified from accumulated OCI to income:
Due to realization of previously deferred amounts																					8						12
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts																					21						—
Sale of NRG Yield and Renewables																					$	25					$	—
Accumulated OCI ending balance																					$	—					$	(54)

Pre-tax Effects of Economic Hedges That Have Not Been Designated As Cash Flow Hedges, Ineffectiveness On Cash Flow Hedges And Trading Activity on the Company's Statement of Operations

The following table summarizes the pre-tax effects of economic hedges that have not been designated as cash flow hedges, and trading activity on the Company's statement of operations. The effect of commodity hedges is included within operating revenues and cost of operations and the effect of interest rate hedges is included in interest expense.

			Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)			2019						2018						2017
Unrealized mark-to-market results
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains)/losses on settled positions related to economic hedges			$	(68)					$	(73)					$	47
Reversal of acquired loss/(gain) positions related to economic hedges			6						(10)						—
Net unrealized gains on open positions related to economic hedges			42						97						159
Total unrealized mark-to-market (losses)/gains for economic hedging activities			(20)						14						206
Reversal of previously recognized unrealized (gains) on settled positions related to trading activity			(11)						(12)						(25)
Net unrealized gains on open positions related to trading activity			31						29						14
Total unrealized mark-to-market gains/(losses) for trading activity			20						17						(11)
Total unrealized gains			$	—					$	31					$	195

			Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)			2019						2018						2017
Unrealized gains/(losses) included in operating revenues			$	53					$	(113)					$	241
Unrealized (losses)/gains included in cost of operations			(53)						144						(46)
Total impact to statement of operations — energy commodities			$	—					$	31					$	195
Total impact to statement of operations — interest rate contracts			$	(38)					$	—					$	4

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Tabular disclosure of gain (loss) on derivative and nonderivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and reclassified into earnings.

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