v2.4.0.6

Debt (Debt Textuals) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 First Lien Term Loans [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 CDHI [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	7.00%	7.40%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum			3.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum			1.00%
Lowering the LIBOR margin due to repricing			0.25%
Lowering the LIBOR floor due to repricing			0.25%
Letter of Credit Total				$ 300
Letter of Credit Uncollateral Total				225
Pledged Financial Instruments, Not Separately Reported, Securities for Letter of Credit Facilities				$ 25

X

- Definition

Letter of Credit Total

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Letter of Credit Uncollateral Total

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cpn_LetterOfCreditUncollateralTotal
Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Lowering the LIBOR floor due to repricing

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cpn_LoweringLiborFloorDueToRepricing
Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Lowering the LIBOR margin due to repricing

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cpn_LoweringLiborMarginDueToRepricing
Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the date of the latest financial statement presented of securities which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for letter of credit arrangements, and for which the transferee does not have the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (b)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7523297&loc=SL6224234-111729



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8

-Paragraph B6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant