XML 88 R70.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.2

Segmented information - Results of Operations and Assets for Segments (Detail) $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2019 CAD ($) | Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 CAD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) segment | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) business_unit | Dec. 31, 2017 business_unit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of business units | business_unit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 | 2
Number of segments | segment |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |
Revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | $ 343,578 |  | $ 366,143 | $ 820,803 | $ 860,357 |  |
Fuel, power and water purchased |  | 76,127 |  | 93,592 | 233,654 | 265,882 |  |
Net revenue |  | 267,451 |  | 272,551 | 587,149 | 594,475 |  |
Operating expenses |  | 120,187 |  | 120,262 | 240,300 | 241,384 |  |
Administrative expenses |  | 13,524 |  | 13,563 | 26,642 | 26,147 |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 69,813 |  | 64,781 | 140,860 | 133,430 |  |
Loss on foreign exchange |  | 1,467 |  | (1,272) | 934 | (1,071) |  |
Operating income |  | 62,460 |  | 75,217 | 178,413 | 194,585 |  |
Interest expense |  | 45,840 |  | 38,429 | 88,461 | 73,929 |  |
Interest, dividend, equity and other income |  | (39,268) |  | (10,892) | (64,558) | (21,553) |  |
Change in value of investments carried at fair value (note 6) |  | (121,394) |  | (15,033) | (115,576) | 101,971 |  |
Other |  | 9,141 |  | 1,247 | 13,194 | 7,530 |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  | 168,141 |  | 61,466 | 256,892 | 32,708 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 105,664 | $ 83,096 |  | 213,050 | 241,270 |  |
Property, plant and equipment |  | 6,811,277 |  | 6,811,277 | 6,811,277 | 6,811,277 | $ 6,393,558 |
Investments carried at fair value |  | 1,097,661 |  | 1,097,661 | 1,097,661 | 1,097,661 | 814,530 |
Equity-method investees |  | 50,486 |  | 50,486 | 50,486 | 50,486 | 30,492 |
Total assets |  | 10,034,328 |  | 10,034,328 | 10,034,328 | 10,034,328 | 9,388,968 |
Revenue related to hedging gains |  | 5,200 |  | 5 | 11,640 | 13,230 |  |
Revenue related to alternative revenue programs |  | 3,460 |  | 5 | (4) | 5,970 |  |
Liberty Utilities Group |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | 281,607 |  | 309,930 | 692,631 | 733,588 |  |
Fuel, power and water purchased |  | 73,469 |  | 89,069 | 224,075 | 252,428 |  |
Net revenue |  | 208,138 |  | 220,861 | 468,556 | 481,160 |  |
Operating expenses |  | 102,021 |  | 101,514 | 203,996 | 203,988 |  |
Administrative expenses |  | 6,546 |  | 9,212 | 11,979 | 18,057 |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 47,034 |  | 44,740 | 95,451 | 89,484 |  |
Loss on foreign exchange |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Operating income |  | 52,537 |  | 65,395 | 157,130 | 169,631 |  |
Interest expense |  | 26,057 |  | 24,767 | 51,149 | 49,971 |  |
Interest, dividend, equity and other income |  | (1,854) |  | (1,360) | (3,111) | (2,760) |  |
Change in value of investments carried at fair value (note 6) |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Other |  | 8,796 |  | 346 | 10,756 | (1,074) |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  | 19,538 |  | 41,642 | 98,336 | 123,494 |  |
Capital expenditures |  | 104,758 |  | 72,544 | 202,173 | 168,733 |  |
Property, plant and equipment |  |  |  | 4,315,669 |  | 4,315,669 | 4,210,115 |
Investments carried at fair value |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 |
Equity-method investees |  |  |  | 28,149 |  | 28,149 | 959 |
Total assets |  |  |  | 6,070,178 |  | 6,070,178 | 6,012,641 |
Liberty Power Group |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | 61,971 |  | 56,213 | 128,172 | 126,769 |  |
Fuel, power and water purchased |  | 2,658 |  | 4,523 | 9,579 | 13,454 |  |
Net revenue |  | 59,313 |  | 51,690 | 118,593 | 113,315 |  |
Operating expenses |  | 18,166 |  | 18,748 | 36,304 | 37,396 |  |
Administrative expenses |  | 7,335 |  | 4,166 | 14,889 | 7,745 |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 22,536 |  | 19,790 | 44,921 | 43,433 |  |
Loss on foreign exchange |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Operating income |  | 11,276 |  | 8,986 | 22,479 | 24,741 |  |
Interest expense |  | 16,237 |  | 13,127 | 32,444 | 22,867 |  |
Interest, dividend, equity and other income |  | (37,050) |  | (8,915) | (60,547) | (17,676) |  |
Change in value of investments carried at fair value (note 6) |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Other |  | (77) |  | (157) | 73 | (40) |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  | 32,166 |  | 4,931 | 50,509 | 19,590 |  |
Capital expenditures | $ 906 |  |  | 10,552 | 10,877 | 72,537 |  |
Property, plant and equipment |  |  |  | 2,462,792 |  | 2,462,792 | 2,152,420 |
Investments carried at fair value |  |  |  | 1,097,661 |  | 1,097,661 | 814,530 |
Equity-method investees |  |  |  | 22,066 |  | 22,066 | 29,273 |
Total assets |  |  |  | 3,844,668 |  | 3,844,668 | 3,269,786 |
Corporate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Fuel, power and water purchased |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Net revenue |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Operating expenses |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |  |
Administrative expenses |  | (357) |  | 185 | (226) | 345 |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 243 |  | 251 | 488 | 513 |  |
Loss on foreign exchange |  | 1,467 |  | (1,272) | 934 | (1,071) |  |
Operating income |  | (1,353) |  | 836 | (1,196) | 213 |  |
Interest expense |  | 3,546 |  | 535 | 4,868 | 1,091 |  |
Interest, dividend, equity and other income |  | (364) |  | (617) | (900) | (1,117) |  |
Change in value of investments carried at fair value (note 6) |  | (121,394) |  | (15,033) | (115,576) | 101,971 |  |
Other |  | 422 |  | 1,058 | 2,365 | 8,644 |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  | 116,437 |  | 14,893 | 108,047 | (110,376) |  |
Capital expenditures |  | $ 0 |  | 0 | $ 0 | 0 |  |
Property, plant and equipment |  |  |  | 32,816 |  | 32,816 | 31,023 |
Investments carried at fair value |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | 0 |
Equity-method investees |  |  |  | 271 |  | 271 | 260 |
Total assets |  |  |  | $ 119,482 |  | $ 119,482 | $ 106,541 |

X
- Definition Cost of Fuel and Power Purchased + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aqunf_CostofFuelandPowerPurchased
Namespace Prefix: | aqunf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Business Units + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aqunf_NumberofBusinessUnits
Namespace Prefix: | aqunf_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue, Net of Regulated Fuel and Power Purchased + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aqunf_RevenueNetofRegulatedFuelandPowerPurchased
Namespace Prefix: | aqunf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue Not From Contract with Customer, Alternative Revenue Program + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aqunf_RevenueNotFromContractwithCustomerAlternativeRevenueProgram
Namespace Prefix: | aqunf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue Not from Contract with Customer, Hedging Gains + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aqunf_RevenueNotfromContractwithCustomerHedgingGains
Namespace Prefix: | aqunf_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(11)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8813-108599 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117311354&loc=d3e32014-111567 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30700-110894 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109240200&loc=d3e30690-110894 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118939692&loc=d3e27405-111563 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations, including income (loss) from equity method investments, before deduction of income tax expense (benefit), and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 940 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68072869&loc=d3e41242-110953 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(8)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116637232&loc=SL114874131-224263 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109234566&loc=d3e22694-107794 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(15)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116637391&loc=SL114874048-224260 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (210.5-03(11)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116637391&loc=SL114874048-224260 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income and dividend income on nonoperating securities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(a),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) related to nonoperating activities, classified as other. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7,9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(14)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(8)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(13)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8933-108599 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=aqunf_LibertyUtilitiesGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=aqunf_LibertyPowerGroupMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |