XML 243 R79.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.0.1

Regulatory Matters - Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 3,347	$ 2,674
Total Current Regulatory Assets	239	161
Regulatory assets	3,108	2,513
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	3,047	3,247
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities	48	39
Regulatory liabilities	2,999	3,208
Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	1,346	1,377
Estimated removal costs
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	1,247	1,322
Other regulatory assets
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	454	548
Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	1,284	752
Total Current Regulatory Assets	0	0
Regulatory assets	1,284	752
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	868	1,031
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities	7	6
Regulatory liabilities	861	1,025
Houston Electric | Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	673	695
Houston Electric | Estimated removal costs
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	0	91
Houston Electric | Other regulatory assets
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	195	245
CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	1,141	1,011
Total Current Regulatory Assets	238	161
Regulatory assets	903	850
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	1,927	1,915
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities	40	33
Regulatory liabilities	1,887	1,882
CERC | Regulatory liabilities related to TCJA
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	501	505
CERC | Estimated removal costs
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	1,191	1,150
CERC | Other regulatory assets
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Liabilities	235	260
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to:
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	821	765
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	127	116
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	261	233
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Benefit obligations
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	373	379
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Benefit obligations | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Benefit obligations | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	4	5
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Asset retirement obligations & other
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	304	290
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Asset retirement obligations & other | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	80	75
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Asset retirement obligations & other | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	188	186
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Net deferred income taxes
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	144	96
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Net deferred income taxes | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	47	41
Future amounts recoverable from ratepayers related to: | Net deferred income taxes | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	69	42
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to:
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	998	450
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	789	199
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	139	203
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Cost recovery riders
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	145	113
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Cost recovery riders | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Cost recovery riders | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	83	73
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	145	149
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	145	123
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	26
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | May 2024 Storm Events
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	86
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | May 2024 Storm Events | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	86
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | May 2024 Storm Events | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Beryl
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	458
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Beryl | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	458
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Beryl | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Francine
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	19
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Francine | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	19
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Hurricane Francine | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Other regulatory assets
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	177	147
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Other regulatory assets | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	87	59
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Other regulatory assets | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	74	72
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Gas recovery costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		27
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Gas recovery costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Gas recovery costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		27
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Decoupling
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	12	17
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Decoupling | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Decoupling | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	12	17
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | COVID-19 incremental costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		12
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | COVID-19 incremental costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		8
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | COVID-19 incremental costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets		4
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Temporary generation costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	71	48
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Temporary generation costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	71	48
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Temporary generation costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Unrecognized equity return
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(115)	(63)
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Unrecognized equity return | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(77)	(39)
Amounts deferred for future recovery related to: | Unrecognized equity return | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(30)	(16)
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to:
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	1,528	1,459
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	368	437
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	741	575
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Benefit obligations
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	4	11
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Benefit obligations | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	4	11
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Benefit obligations | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	31	17
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	5	17
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Hurricane Harvey restoration costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	26	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Other regulatory assets
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	34
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Other regulatory assets | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Other regulatory assets | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	34
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Gas recovery costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	122	34
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Gas recovery costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Gas recovery costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	122	34
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Decoupling
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	38
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Decoupling | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Decoupling | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	38
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Temporary generation costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	219	208
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Temporary generation costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	219	208
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Temporary generation costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unrecognized equity return
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(136)	(141)
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unrecognized equity return | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(17)	(36)
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unrecognized equity return | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Unrecognized equity return	(62)	(53)
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Authorized trackers and cost deferrals
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	600	535
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Authorized trackers and cost deferrals | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	47	44
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Authorized trackers and cost deferrals | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	440	375
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Securitized regulatory assets
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	343	434
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Securitized regulatory assets | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	74
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Securitized regulatory assets | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unamortized loss on reacquired debt and hedging
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	93	106
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unamortized loss on reacquired debt and hedging | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	63	72
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Unamortized loss on reacquired debt and hedging | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	10	11
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Extraordinary gas costs
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	133	208
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Extraordinary gas costs | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	0
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Extraordinary gas costs | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	133	208
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Regulatory assets related to TCJA
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	47	47
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Regulatory assets related to TCJA | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	47	47
Amounts currently recovered in customer rates related to: | Regulatory assets related to TCJA | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	0	$ 0
Amounts currently recovered in customer earning a return
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	463
Amounts currently recovered in customer earning a return | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	305
Amounts currently recovered in customer earning a return | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	158
Amounts currently recovered in customer not earning a return
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 424
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Remaining weighted average period for which no return on investment during recovery period is provided	11 years
Amounts currently recovered in customer not earning a return | Houston Electric
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 63
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Remaining weighted average period for which no return on investment during recovery period is provided	27 years
Amounts currently recovered in customer not earning a return | CERC
Regulatory Asset [Abstract]
Total Regulatory Assets	$ 328
Regulatory Liability [Abstract]
Remaining weighted average period for which no return on investment during recovery period is provided	7 years

X

- Definition

Regulatory Assets, Unrecognized Equity Return

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetsUnrecognizedEquityReturn
Namespace Prefix:	cnp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478742/980-340-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478742/980-340-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are not expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478742/980-340-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount for the individual regulatory liability as itemized in a table of regulatory liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 405
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477571/980-405-25-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount for the individual regulatory current liability as itemized in a table of regulatory current liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 405
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477571/980-405-25-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount for the individual regulatory noncurrent liability as itemized in a table of regulatory noncurrent liabilities as of the end of the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(24))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Remaining recovery period of regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery period is provided, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478742/980-340-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478098/980-340-55-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RemainingRecoveryPeriodOfRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis=cnp_AmountsrelatedtoTCJAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis=us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis=us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnp_HoustonElectricMember
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:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetTypeAxis=cnp_FutureAmountsRecoverableFromRatepayersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetTypeAxis=cnp_AmountsDeferredForFutureRecoveryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_CostRecoveryRidersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_StormCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_May2024StormEventsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_HurricaneBerylMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_HurricaneFrancineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_GasRecoveryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_DecouplingCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_COVID19IncrementalCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_TemporaryGenerationCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_UnrecognizedEquityReturnCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetTypeAxis=cnp_AmountsCurrentlyRecoveredInCustomerRatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_DeferredProjectCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_SecuritizedRegulatoryAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=us-gaap_LossOnReacquiredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_ExtraordinaryGasCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis=cnp_TaxCutsAndJobsActCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetTypeAxis=cnp_AmountsCurrentlyRecoveredInCustomerRatesEarningReturnMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	cnp_RegulatoryAssetTypeAxis=cnp_AmountsCurrentlyRecoveredInCustomerRatesNotEarningAReturnMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: