<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1






                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Amendment No.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
333-76880) of our report dated February 6, 2002 (except for Note 24 as to which
the date is March 22, 2002) included in Calpine Corporation's Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2001 and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

San Jose, California
  April 4, 2002

