v2.4.0.8

Segment and Significant Customer Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 6,301 |  | $ 5,478 |  | $ 6,800 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Operating revenues | 1,438 | 2,050 | 1,572 | 1,241 | 1,367 | 1,996 | 879 | 1,236 | 6,301 |  | 5,478 |  | 6,800 |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,568 |  | 2,538 | [1],[2] | 2,474 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3) | [3] | (84) | [3] | (33) | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 895 |  | 922 |  | 904 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 609 |  | 562 |  | 550 |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 136 |  | 140 |  | 131 |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 81 |  | 78 |  | 77 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | (222) |  | 0 |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (30) |  | (28) |  | (21) |
Income from operations | 151 | 597 | 122 | 4 | 295 | 705 | (193) | 195 | 874 |  | 1,002 |  | 800 |
Interest expense, net of interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 690 |  | 725 |  | 751 |
Loss on interest rate derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 14 |  | 145 |
Debt extinguishment costs and other (income) expense, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 164 |  | 45 |  | 115 |
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20 |  | 218 |  | (211) |
Commodity Margin Riverside Energy Center |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 73 |  | 70 |
Commodity Margin Broad River Energy Center |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52 |  | 51 |
Lease levelization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6 |  | 1 |  | 12 |
Contract amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14 |  | 14 |  | 8 |
Number of significant customers |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | two |  | one |  |  |
West [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,937 |  | 1,668 |  | 2,372 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 |  | 10 |  | 12 |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,942 |  | 1,678 |  | 2,384 |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,020 |  | 994 | [1],[2] | 1,061 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (50) | [3] | (93) | [3] | 113 | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 365 |  | 368 |  | 380 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 243 |  | 203 |  | 192 |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 37 |  | 36 |  | 43 |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45 |  | 42 |  | 41 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 280 |  | 252 |  | 518 |
Texas [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,347 |  | 1,857 |  | 2,306 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (4) |  | 61 |  | 23 |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,343 |  | 1,918 |  | 2,329 |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 632 |  | 570 | [1],[2] | 469 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 51 | [3] | 87 | [3] | (102) | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 269 |  | 247 |  | 235 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 165 |  | 142 |  | 135 |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 56 |  | 47 |  | 43 |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  | 5 |  | 3 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 190 |  | 216 |  | (49) |
North [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,356 |  | 1,280 |  | 1,336 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33 |  | 14 |  | 7 |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,389 |  | 1,294 |  | 1,343 |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 712 |  | 729 | [1],[2] | 704 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 | [3] | (14) | [3] | (13) | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 172 |  | 206 |  | 177 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 130 |  | 134 |  | 138 |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21 |  | 28 |  | 24 |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29 |  | 29 |  | 30 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (7) |  |  |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (30) |  | (28) |  | (21) |
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 395 |  | 353 |  | 343 |
Southeast [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 661 |  | 673 |  | 786 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 189 |  | 80 |  | 135 |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 850 |  | 753 |  | 921 |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 204 |  | 245 | [1],[2] | 240 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22 | [3] | (33) | [3] | 1 | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 120 |  | 131 |  | 141 |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 73 |  | 85 |  | 90 |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21 |  | 29 |  | 22 |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4 |  | 5 |  | 5 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (215) |  |  |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8 |  | 177 |  | (17) |
Consolidation and Elimination [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Intersegment revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (223) |  | (165) |  | (177) |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (223) |  | (165) |  | (177) |
Commodity Margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 | [1],[2] | 0 | [1],[2]
Add: Mark-to-market commodity activity, net and other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (31) | [3] | (31) | [3] | (32) | [3]
Plant operating expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (31) |  | (30) |  | (29) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2) |  | (2) |  | (5) |
Sales, general and other administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  | 0 |  | (1) |
Other operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | (3) |  | (2) |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Income from operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  | 4 |  | 5 |
PJM Settlement, Inc. [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 820 |  | 713 |  | 742 |
Major customer receivables |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 26 |  | 37 |  |  |
Pacific Gas & Electric Company [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 694 |  |  |  |  |
Major customer receivables |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 83 |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Our North segment includes Commodity Margin of $73 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to Riverside Energy Center, LLC, which was sold in December 2012.
[2] | Our Southeast segment includes Commodity Margin of $52 million and $51 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to Broad River, which was sold in December 2012.
[3] | Includes $6 million, $1 million and $12 million of lease levelization and $14 million, $14 million and $8 million of amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

X
- Definition Commodity Margin + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_CommodityMargin
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Commodity Margin Broad River Energy Center + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_CommodityMarginBroadRiverEnergyCenter
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Commodity Margin including in our North Segment related to Riverside Energy Center + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_CommodityMarginRiversideEnergyCenter
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Contract amortization + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_ContractAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Debt Extinguishment Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DebtExtinguishmentCostsAndOtherIncomeExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Income (loss) before reorganization items, income taxes and discontinued operations + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_IncomeLossBeforeReorganizationItemsIncomeTaxesAndDiscontinuedOperations
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Intersegment revenue + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_Intersegmentrevenue
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition LeaseLevelization + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_LeaseLevelization
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Mark-to-Market Commodity Activity, Net and Other Revenue + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_MarkToMarketCommodityActivityNetAndOtherRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Significant Customers + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_NumberofSignificantCustomers
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Receivables, Major Customer, Amount + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_ReceivablesMajorCustomerAmount
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue from External Customer + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_RevenuefromExternalCustomer
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, excluding oil and gas property and timber property. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) included in earnings for the period from the increase (decrease) in fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnInterestRateDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16385135&loc=d3e33749-111570 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 11 -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of interest revenue (income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents) net of interest expense (cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestRevenueExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Excludes Selling, General and Administrative Expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 3 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 330 -SubTopic 10 -Section 30 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386349&loc=d3e3636-108311 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration