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Fair Value (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures Details [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
An input assumption is considered significant if it affects the fair value by at least 10%. | 10.00% |  | 10.00% |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Abstract |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale securities | $ 864,000,000 |  | $ 864,000,000 |  | $ 1,340,000,000
Trading securities | 12,000,000 |  | 12,000,000 |  | 12,000,000
Derivatives | 116,000,000 |  | 116,000,000 |  | 120,000,000
Total assets | 992,000,000 |  | 992,000,000 |  | 1,472,000,000
Derivatives | 805,000,000 |  | 805,000,000 |  | 690,000,000
Total liabilities | 805,000,000 |  | 805,000,000 |  | 690,000,000
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
(Gain) loss on disposal and impairment write-down - discontinued operations |  |  | 131,000,000 | 0 |
Asset Impairment Charges | 18,000,000 | 33,000,000 | 29,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Other non-operating expense | 1,000,000 | 0 | 50,000,000 | 0 |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | (122,000,000) | 45,000,000 | (148,000,000) | 49,000,000 |
Included in earnings | (13,000,000) | 0 | (8,000,000) | 11,000,000 |
Included in other comprehensive income | (58,000,000) | (4,000,000) | (15,000,000) | (1,000,000) |
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 6,000,000 |
Settlements | 5,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 18,000,000 | 3,000,000 |
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3 | (105,000,000) | (58,000,000) | (146,000,000) | (58,000,000) |
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3 | 0 | (16,000,000) | 6,000,000 | 0 |
Balance at end of period | (286,000,000) | 10,000,000 | (286,000,000) | 10,000,000 |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period | (14,000,000) | 6,000,000 | (8,000,000) | 14,000,000 |
Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Long-lived Asset: Kelanitissa |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Annual Revenue Growth Input Minimum | (9.00%) |  | (9.00%) |  |
Annual Revenue Growth Input Maximum | 4.00% |  | 4.00% |  |
Pretax Operating Margin Input Minimum | (4.00%) |  | (4.00%) |  |
Pretax Operating Margin Input Maximum | 16.00% |  | 16.00% |  |
Weighted Average Cost Of Capital Input | 11.90% |  | 11.90% |  |
Debt securities |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 0 | 40,000,000 | 0 | 42,000,000 |
Settlements | 0 | 0 | 0 | (2,000,000) |
Balance at end of period | 0 | 40,000,000 | 0 | 40,000,000 |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/losses relating to assets held at the end of the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Interest Rate Derivatives |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | (124,000,000) | (7,000,000) | (128,000,000) | (1,000,000) |
Included in earnings | 0 | 0 | (1,000,000) | 0 |
Included in other comprehensive income | (58,000,000) | (12,000,000) | (19,000,000) | (1,000,000) |
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Settlements | 6,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 0 |
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3 | (105,000,000) | (58,000,000) | (146,000,000) | (58,000,000) |
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3 | 0 | (16,000,000) | 0 | 0 |
Balance at end of period | (281,000,000) | (60,000,000) | (281,000,000) | (60,000,000) |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Subsidiaries' credit risk (minimum) | 3.00% |  | 3.00% |  |
Subsidiaries' credit risk (maximum) | 4.10% |  | 4.10% |  |
Subsidiaries' credit risk (weighted average) | 3.50% |  | 3.50% |  |
Cross Currency Swaps |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 0 | 5,000,000 | (18,000,000) | 10,000,000 |
Included in earnings | 0 | (2,000,000) | 0 | 0 |
Included in other comprehensive income | 0 | 8,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 0 |
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Settlements | 0 | 4,000,000 | 8,000,000 | 5,000,000 |
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3 | 0 | 0 | 6,000,000 | 0 |
Balance at end of period | 0 | 15,000,000 | 0 | 15,000,000 |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period | 0 | (2,000,000) | 0 | 0 |
Foreign Currency |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 48,000,000 | 23,000,000 | 51,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
Included in earnings | 0 | 18,000,000 | (2,000,000) | 18,000,000 |
Included in other comprehensive income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Settlements | (1,000,000) | (1,000,000) | (2,000,000) | (2,000,000) |
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3 | 0 | 2,000,000 | 0 | 0 |
Balance at end of period | 47,000,000 | 38,000,000 | 47,000,000 | 38,000,000 |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period | (1,000,000) | 15,000,000 | (3,000,000) | 15,000,000 |
Commodity & Other |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | (46,000,000) | 24,000,000 | (53,000,000) | 18,000,000 |
Included in earnings | (13,000,000) | (16,000,000) | (5,000,000) | (7,000,000) |
Included in other comprehensive income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 6,000,000 |
Settlements | 0 | 0 | (1,000,000) | 0 |
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3 | 0 | (2,000,000) | 0 | 0 |
Balance at end of period | (52,000,000) | 17,000,000 | (52,000,000) | 17,000,000 |
Total gains/(losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period | (13,000,000) | (7,000,000) | (5,000,000) | (1,000,000) |
Foreign currency: Embedded derivative - Argentina Peso |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | 48,000,000 |  | 48,000,000 |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 2 years | 7.53 |  | 7.53 |  |
Foreign currency: Other |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | (1,000,000) |  | (1,000,000) |  |
Commodity & other: Embedded derivative - Philippine inflation |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | 8,000,000 |  | 8,000,000 |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
U.S. Producer Price Index after 5 years (where base year of 2005 = 100), Minimum | 143 |  | 143 |  |
U.S. Producer Price Index after 5 years (where base year of 2005 = 100), Maximum | 174 |  | 174 |  |
U.S. Producer Price Index after 5 years (where base year of 2005 = 100), Weighted Average | 154 |  | 154 |  |
Commodity & other: Other |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | 6,000,000 |  | 6,000,000 |  |
Commodity & other: Embedded derivative - Aluminum |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Balance at end of period | (66,000,000) |  | (66,000,000) |  |
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Market Price of Power for Customer in Cameroon (per KWh), Minimum | 0.05 |  | 0.05 |  |
Market Price of Power for Customer in Cameroon (per KWh), Maximum | 0.17 |  | 0.17 |  |
Market Price Of Power For Customer In Cameroon Weighted Average | 0.12 |  | 0.12 |  |
Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Asset Impairment Charges |  |  | 12,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Nonrecurring | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Other Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Other non-operating expense |  |  | 50,000,000 |  |
Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St Patrick [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Asset Impairment Charges |  |  | 11,000,000 |  |
Level 1 |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Abstract |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale securities | 1,000,000 |  | 1,000,000 |  | 1,000,000
Trading securities | 12,000,000 |  | 12,000,000 |  | 12,000,000
Derivatives | 0 |  | 0 |  | 2,000,000
Total assets | 13,000,000 |  | 13,000,000 |  | 15,000,000
Derivatives | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Total liabilities | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Level 2 |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Abstract |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale securities | 863,000,000 |  | 863,000,000 |  | 1,339,000,000
Trading securities | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Derivatives | 45,000,000 |  | 45,000,000 |  | 52,000,000
Total assets | 908,000,000 |  | 908,000,000 |  | 1,391,000,000
Derivatives | 448,000,000 |  | 448,000,000 |  | 476,000,000
Total liabilities | 448,000,000 |  | 448,000,000 |  | 476,000,000
Level 3 |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Abstract |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale securities | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Trading securities | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Derivatives | 71,000,000 |  | 71,000,000 |  | 66,000,000
Total assets | 71,000,000 |  | 71,000,000 |  | 66,000,000
Derivatives | 357,000,000 |  | 357,000,000 |  | 214,000,000
Total liabilities | 357,000,000 |  | 357,000,000 |  | 214,000,000
Carrying Amount |  |  |  |  |
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Long-term receivables | 460,000,000 |  | 460,000,000 |  | 469,000,000
Non-recourse debt | 15,537,000,000 |  | 15,537,000,000 |  | 15,535,000,000
Recourse debt | 6,189,000,000 |  | 6,189,000,000 |  | 6,485,000,000
Carrying Amount | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Carrying Amount, Nonrecurring | 22,000,000 | 66,000,000 | 22,000,000 | 66,000,000 |
Carrying Amount | Nonrecurring | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Other Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Carrying Amount, Nonrecurring | 205,000,000 |  | 205,000,000 |  |
Carrying Amount | Level 2 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St Patrick [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Carrying Amount, Nonrecurring | 33,000,000 |  | 33,000,000 |  |
Fair Value |  |  |  |  |
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Long-term receivables | 398,000,000 |  | 398,000,000 |  | 484,000,000
Non-recourse debt | 16,021,000,000 |  | 16,021,000,000 |  | 15,862,000,000
Recourse debt | 6,802,000,000 |  | 6,802,000,000 |  | 6,640,000,000
Fair Value | Level 1 |  |  |  |  |
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Long-term receivables | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Non-recourse debt | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Recourse debt | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Fair Value | Level 1 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fair Value | Level 1 | Nonrecurring | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Other Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Fair Value | Level 1 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St Patrick [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Fair Value | Level 2 |  |  |  |  |
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Long-term receivables | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Non-recourse debt | 11,944,000,000 |  | 11,944,000,000 |  |
Recourse debt | 6,802,000,000 |  | 6,802,000,000 |  |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Nonrecurring | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Other Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 155,000,000 |  | 155,000,000 |  |
Fair Value | Level 2 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St Patrick [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 22,000,000 |  | 22,000,000 |  |
Fair Value | Level 3 |  |  |  |  |
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Long-term receivables | 398,000,000 |  | 398,000,000 |  |
Non-recourse debt | 4,077,000,000 |  | 4,077,000,000 |  |
Recourse debt | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Fair Value | Level 3 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 10,000,000 | 33,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 33,000,000 |
Fair Value | Level 3 | Nonrecurring | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Other Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Fair Value | Level 3 | Nonrecurring | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St Patrick [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Nonrecurring | $ 0 |  | $ 0 |  |

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- Definition This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of the assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity before the recognition of impairment charges. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The maximum credit rating used by the parent company or subsidiary to determine the fair value of derivative instruments at the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The minimum credit rating used by the parent company or subsidiary to determine the fair value of derivative instruments at the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The weighted average credit rating used by the parent company or subsidiary to determine the fair value of derivative instruments at the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair values as of the balance sheet date of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents transfers in to derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents transfers out of derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents net derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which are required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Settlements that have taken place during the period in relation to derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in regulatory assets or liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The minimum market price of power for customers in Cameroon used to determine the fair value of derivative instruments at the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Non-recourse debt is secured by the capital stock, physical assets, contracts and cash flows of the related subsidiary. The risk is limited to the respective subsidiary business and is without recourse to the Parent Company and other subsidiaries. + References No definition available. + Details
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