XML 274 R110.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.25.0.1

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 02, 2024 lawsuit | Feb. 01, 2023 MW | Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) day lawsuit ashPond Defendant gasManufacturingAndStorageSite insurer | Jan. 17, 2025 cases | Feb. 07, 2024 USD ($) | Feb. 02, 2024 lawsuit | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2023 lawsuit class | Jan. 11, 2023 MW | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted | $ |  |  | $ 465,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional guarantee | $ |  |  | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond |  |  | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation | $ |  |  | $ 588,000,000 |  |  |  | $ 590,000,000 |  |  | $ 610,000,000
F.B. Culley |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
A.B. Brown |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of owned coal ash ponds | ashPond |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
F.B. Culley East |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting and ratemaking project relief, approved capital costs | $ |  |  |  |  | $ 52,000,000 |  |  |  |  |
Accounting and ratemaking project relief, approved annual O & M expenses | $ |  |  |  |  | $ 133,000 |  |  |  |  |
Indiana Gas Service Territory |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite |  |  | 26 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Environmental remediation investigation studies agreed upon number of sites | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
SIGECO |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss from Catastrophes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 |  |
Loss from Catastrophes | Harris County |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9 |  |
Uninsured Risk |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of insurers | insurer |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
CERC |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation | $ |  |  | $ 363,000,000 |  |  |  | $ 380,000,000 |  |  | $ 420,000,000
CERC | Indiana Gas Service Territory |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Environmental remediation number of sites with potential remedial responsibility | gasManufacturingAndStorageSite |  |  | 26 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indiana Electric |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation | $ |  |  | $ 11,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment increase | $ |  |  | 11,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indiana Electric | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds | $ |  |  | 60,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indiana Electric | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated capital expenditure to clean ash ponds | $ |  |  | 80,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
CenterPoint Energy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation | $ |  |  | $ 121,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hurricane Harvey | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy And Houston Electric Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, new claims filed, number |  |  | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hurricane Beryl Class Action 1 | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy And Houston Electric Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, damages sought, value | $ |  |  | $ 100,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hurricane Beryl Class Action 2 | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy And Houston Electric Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, damages sought, value | $ |  |  | 100,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hurricane Beryl Class Action 3 | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy And Houston Electric Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, damages sought, value | $ |  |  | 100,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hurricane Beryl Personal Injury | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy And Houston Electric Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restore the electric delivery facility cost | $ |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Related to the February 2021 Winter Storm Event | Pending Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 220 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
February 2021 Winter Storm Event | Pending Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits | day |  |  | 220 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
February 2021 Winter Storm Event | Pending Litigation | CenterPoint Energy, Houston Electric and Other Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits named as defendant |  |  | 155 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Multi District Litigation | February 2021 Putative Class Action |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Multi District Litigation | February 2021 Putative Class Action | Utility Holding, LLC |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Multi District Litigation | Cases Transferred to the Multi District Litigation (MDL) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits | 3 |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  |
Multi District Litigation | Cases Transferred to the Multi District Litigation (MDL) | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits | cases |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |
Multi District Litigation | Cases Transferred to the Multi District Litigation (MDL) | CES |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of claims dismissed | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bellwether Cases | Pending Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Harris County vs. CERC - Putative | Loss from Catastrophes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Number of classes of electric and natural gas customers | class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Other Texas Lawsuits Brought By Assignee vs. Company | Loss from Catastrophes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Other Texas Lawsuits Brought By Assignee vs. Company | Loss from Catastrophes | Harris County |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Other Texas Lawsuits Brought By Assignee vs. Company | Loss from Catastrophes | Tom Green County |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Jefferson Parish | Pending Litigation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 42 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Jefferson Parish | Suits Remanded to Louisiana Federal Couts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pending lawsuits |  |  | 42 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Jefferson Parish | Pending Litigation | Predecessor Company, Primary Fuels, Inc. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits named as defendant | Defendant |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of defendants |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Posey Solar |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Solar array generating capacity (in MW) | MW |  | 191 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Solar array assets, useful life |  | 35 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pike Solar |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Purchase Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Solar array generating capacity (in MW) | MW |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 130 |

X
- Definition Accounting and Ratemaking Project Relief, Approved Annual O & M Expenses + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_AccountingAndRatemakingProjectReliefApprovedAnnualOMExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Accounting and Ratemaking Project Relief, Approved Capital Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_AccountingAndRatemakingProjectReliefApprovedCapitalCosts
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental Remediation Investigation Studies Agreed Upon Number of Sites + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_EnvironmentalRemediationInvestigationStudiesAgreedUponNumberOfSites
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of sites identified where the entity may potentially have some remedial responsibility + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_EnvironmentalRemediationNumberOfSitesWithPotentialRemedialResponsibility
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Estimated Capital Expenditure to Clean Ash Ponds + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_Estimatedcapitalexpendituretocleanashponds
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Guarantor Obligations, Additional Guarantee In Relation to Maximum Exposure + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_GuarantorObligationsAdditionalGuaranteeInRelationToMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Loss Contingency, Number of Insurers + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_LossContingencyNumberOfInsurers
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number of Lawsuits Named as Defendant + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumberOfLawsuitsNamedAsDefendant
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number Of Classes of Electric and Natural Gas Customers + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_NumberOfClassesOfElectricAndNaturalGasCustomers
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Owned Coal Ash Ponds + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_NumberOfOwnedCoalAshPonds
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Solar Array Assets, Useful Life + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_SolarArrayAssetsUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Solar Array Generating Capacity + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cnp_SolarArrayGeneratingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | cnp_
Data Type: | dtr-types1:powerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 25 -Paragraph 4 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481999/410-20-25-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481850/410-20-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of claims dismissed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyClaimsDismissedNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 720 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483359/720-20-50-1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 27 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482395/460-10-55-27 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-3 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-2 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of defendants named in a legal action. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfDefendants
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483076/450-20-50-9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGrossPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | cnp_AshPondFacilityAxis=cnp_FBCulleyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | cnp_AshPondFacilityAxis=cnp_ABBrownMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | cnp_AshPondFacilityAxis=cnp_FBCulleyEastMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=cnp_IndianaGasServiceTerritoryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=cnp_SIGECOMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_LossFromCatastrophesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=cnp_HarrisCountyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_UninsuredRiskMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_CercCorpMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_IndianaElectricMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_CenterpointEnergyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=us-gaap_HurricaneMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_CenterPointEnergyAndHoustonElectricEntitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_HurricaneBerylClassAction1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_HurricaneBerylClassAction2Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_HurricaneBerylClassAction3Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_HurricaneBerylPersonalInjuryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_LitigationRelatedToTheFebruary2021WinterStormEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_February2021WinterStormEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_CenterPointEnergyHoustonElectricAndOtherEntitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_MultiDistrictLitigationMDLMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=cnp_February2021PutativeClassActionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_UtilityHoldingLLCMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=cnp_CasesTransferredToTheMultiDistrictLitigationMDLMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_CESMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_BellwetherCasesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_HarrisCountyVsCERCPutativeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_OtherTexasLawsuitsBroughtByAssigneeVsCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=cnp_TomGreenCountyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_JeffersonParishAndTheStateOfLouisianaUnderTheSCLRMAMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=cnp_SuitsRemandedToLouisianaFederalCoutsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnp_JeffersonParishMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_PredecessorCompanyPrimaryFuelsInc.Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | cnp_BuildTransferAgreementAxis=cnp_PoseySolarMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | cnp_BuildTransferAgreementAxis=cnp_PikeSolarMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |