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Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2010
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Jun. 30, 2010
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Mar. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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| Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ 1,459 | $ 2,209 | $ 1,633 | $ 1,499 | $ 1,471 | $ 2,130 | $ 1,430 | $ 1,514 | $ 6,800 | $ 6,545 | $ 6,463 |
| Income (loss) from operations | 196 | 403 | 183 | 18 | 89 | 554 | 108 | 150 | 800 | 901 | 1,013 |
| Income (loss) before discontinued operations attributable to Calpine | (13) | 190 | (70) | (297) | (186) | 198 | (119) | (55) | (189) | (162) | 110 |
| Discontinued operations, net of tax expense, attributable to Calpine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 19 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 193 | 35 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Calpine | $ (13) | $ 190 | $ (70) | $ (297) | $ (24) | $ 217 | $ (115) | $ (47) | $ (190) | $ 31 | $ 149 |
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before discontinued operations attributable to Calpine | $ (0.03) | $ 0.39 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.61) | $ (0.38) | $ 0.41 | $ (0.25) | $ (0.11) | $ (0.39) | $ (0.33) | $ 0.24 |
| Discontinued operations, net of tax expense, attributable to Calpine | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.07 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Calpine | $ (0.03) | $ 0.39 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.61) | $ (0.05) | $ 0.45 | $ (0.24) | $ (0.10) | $ (0.39) | $ 0.06 | $ 0.31 |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||
| Income (loss) before discontinued operations attributable to Calpine | $ (0.03) | $ 0.39 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.61) | $ (0.38) | $ 0.41 | $ (0.25) | $ (0.11) | $ (0.39) | $ (0.33) | $ 0.24 |
| Discontinued operations, net of tax expense, attributable to Calpine | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.00 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.07 |
| Discontinued operations, net of tax expense, attributable to Calpine | $ (0.03) | $ 0.39 | $ (0.14) | $ (0.61) | $ (0.05) | $ 0.45 | $ (0.24) | $ (0.10) | $ (0.39) | $ 0.06 | $ 0.31 |
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Details
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- Definition
This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items before deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount of net income (loss) derived from discontinued operations during the period, net of related tax effect, per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount of net income or loss derived from discontinued operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
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- Details
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- Definition
Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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