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Business acquisitions and development projects - Acquisition of New Brunswick Gas and St. Lawrence Gas Company, Inc. (Details)
$ in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Nov. 01, 2019
USD ($)
Oct. 01, 2019
USD ($)
Oct. 01, 2019
CAD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
CAD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]              
Goodwill       $ 1,031,696 $ 954,282 $ 954,282 $ 954,282
New Brunswick Gas              
Business Acquisition [Line Items]              
Total purchase price   $ 256,011 $ 339,036        
Working capital   8,782          
Property, plant and equipment   137,668          
Goodwill   56,054          
Regulatory assets   94,827          
Deferred income tax assets, net   0          
Other assets   125          
Regulatory liabilities   (2,076)          
Pension and post-employment benefits   0          
Deferred income tax liability, net   (38,053)          
Other liabilities   (1,316)          
Total net assets acquired   256,011          
Cash and cash equivalents   7,248          
Total net assets acquired, net of cash and cash equivalent   $ 248,763          
Intangible asset, useful life       47 years      
St. Lawrence Gas Company, Inc.              
Business Acquisition [Line Items]              
Total purchase price $ 61,820            
Working capital 3,403            
Property, plant and equipment 49,936            
Goodwill 20,259            
Regulatory assets 3,562            
Deferred income tax assets, net 1,614            
Other assets 6,418            
Regulatory liabilities (10,412)            
Pension and post-employment benefits (12,376)            
Deferred income tax liability, net 0            
Other liabilities (584)            
Total net assets acquired 61,820            
Cash and cash equivalents 1,225            
Total net assets acquired, net of cash and cash equivalent $ 60,595            
Intangible asset, useful life       49 years