Document and Entity Information Document	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019 shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	40-F
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	TransAlta Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0001144800
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Common Shares Outstanding	277,265,641
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

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End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

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This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.

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This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.

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The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

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The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument.

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Indicate 'Yes' or 'No' whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

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Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

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Document And Entity Information [Abstract]

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