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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Id88tXsm4TtJNgKLNZAU6eobli7vC2c1CHGSVhTTjylvEoEtvg6obwWOH00T2q2A
 tSHcLOYzzx4WZYPI33aZHA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000916457-05-000075.txt : 20050920
<SEC-HEADER>0000916457-05-000075.hdr.sgml : 20050920
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050920185359
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000916457-05-000075
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050919
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050920
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050920

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALPINE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000916457
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				770212977
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 WEST SAN FERNANDO ST
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95113
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4089955115

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 W SAN FERNANDO
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95113

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KEESE WILLIAM J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001339016

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12079
		FILM NUMBER:		051094513

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408-794-2405

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		50 WEST SAN FERNANDO STREET
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			CA
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>o92005-keese_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000916457</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CALPINE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CPN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001339016</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KEESE WILLIAM J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>50 W. SAN FERNANDO ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95113</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Lisa Bodensteiner For: William Keese</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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