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Significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) facility | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Number of electric generating facilities | facility | 3 |
Cost of plant in service | $ 552,701 | $ 559,630
Accumulated depreciation related to commonly owned facilities | 83,283 | 75,820
Expenditures | $ 72,584 | 110,268
Number of power generating facilities | facility | 2 |
Generating assets of Long Sault | $ 18,373,961 | 17,627,613
Non-regulated energy sales | 2,698,015 | 2,765,013
Interest expense on long-term debt and others | 353,656 | 278,574
Non-Regulated Energy |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Non-regulated energy sales | 296,314 | 350,797
Long Sault and Saint-Damase Wind Powered Generating Facility | Primary Beneficiary | Power plant |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Generating assets of Long Sault | 57,740 | 57,241
Long-term debt of Long Sault | 12,738 | 15,024
Operating expenses and amortization | 5,986 | 5,834
Interest expense on long-term debt and others | 1,384 | 1,723
Long Sault and Saint-Damase Wind Powered Generating Facility | Primary Beneficiary | Power plant | Non-Regulated Energy |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Non-regulated energy sales | $ 17,317 | $ 19,752
Minimum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Ownership interest in commonly owned facilities | 7.52% |
Lease renewal term | 1 year |
Maximum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Ownership interest in commonly owned facilities | 60.00% |
Lease renewal term | 5 years |
Power sales contracts | Minimum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Intangible asset, useful life | 6 years |
Power sales contracts | Maximum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Intangible asset, useful life | 25 years |
Interconnection agreements |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Intangible asset, useful life | 40 years |
Customer relationships | Minimum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Intangible asset, useful life | 25 years |
Customer relationships | Maximum |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Intangible asset, useful life | 40 years |

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