<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. 333-85654) 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

June 17, 2002


