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Commitments and contingencies - Estimates of Future Commitments (Detail) $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands | Nov. 28, 2018 CAD ($) | Oct. 30, 2018 CAD ($) | Mar. 04, 2021 lawsuit | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
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Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | $ 852,091
Year 2 |  |  |  | 143,691
Year 3 |  |  |  | 131,702
Year 4 |  |  |  | 124,039
Year 5 |  |  |  | 116,973
Thereafter |  |  |  | 755,800
Total |  |  |  | 2,124,296
Power purchase |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | 45,083
Year 2 |  |  |  | 27,310
Year 3 |  |  |  | 26,178
Year 4 |  |  |  | 26,236
Year 5 |  |  |  | 26,472
Thereafter |  |  |  | 167,380
Total |  |  |  | 318,659
Gas supply and service agreements |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | 89,034
Year 2 |  |  |  | 62,781
Year 3 |  |  |  | 48,427
Year 4 |  |  |  | 42,174
Year 5 |  |  |  | 37,699
Thereafter |  |  |  | 144,885
Total |  |  |  | 425,000
Service agreements |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | 56,828
Year 2 |  |  |  | 46,817
Year 3 |  |  |  | 50,223
Year 4 |  |  |  | 48,671
Year 5 |  |  |  | 45,766
Thereafter |  |  |  | 248,540
Total |  |  |  | 496,845
Capital projects |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | 654,399
Year 2 |  |  |  | 0
Year 3 |  |  |  | 0
Year 4 |  |  |  | 0
Year 5 |  |  |  | 0
Thereafter |  |  |  | 0
Total |  |  |  | 654,399
Land easements |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Year 1 |  |  |  | 6,747
Year 2 |  |  |  | 6,783
Year 3 |  |  |  | 6,874
Year 4 |  |  |  | 6,958
Year 5 |  |  |  | 7,036
Thereafter |  |  |  | 194,995
Total |  |  |  | $ 229,393
Gaia Power Inc. vs APUC |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Damages claimed by other party in lawsuit | $ 108,500 | $ 345,000 |  |
Punitive damages claimed by other party in lawsuit | $ 10,000 | $ 25,000 |  |
Mountain View Fire | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |
Commitments Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of lawsuits filed | lawsuit |  |  | 4 |

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