v2.4.1.9
Derivative Instruments (Details 4) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Gains (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) $ (2)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1] $ 86us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1] $ (81)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (EffectivePortion) (46)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1] (51)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1] 20us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet [1]
Power Derivative Instruments [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Gains (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2] (97)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (EffectivePortion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3] 118us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_PowerDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3]
Natural Gas Derivative Instruments [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Gains (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2] 59us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [1],[2]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (EffectivePortion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3] 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3] (66)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= cpn_NaturalGasDerivativeInstrumentsMember		 [2],[3]
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Gains (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) (2)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [1],[4] 86us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [1],[4] (43)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [1],[4]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (EffectivePortion) $ (46)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [3],[4],[5] $ (51)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [3],[4],[5] $ (32)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember		 [3],[4]
[1] We recorded income tax expense of nil and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and an income tax benefit of $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, in AOCI related to our cash flow hedging activities.
[2] There were no commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. We recorded a gain on hedge ineffectiveness of $2 million related to our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the year ended December 31, 2012.
[3] Cumulative cash flow hedge losses attributable to Calpine, net of tax, remaining in AOCI were $149 million, $148 million and $222 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cumulative cash flow hedge losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax, remaining in AOCI were $12 million, $11 million and $20 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[4] We did not record any gain (loss) on hedge ineffectiveness related to our interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
[5] Includes a loss of $10 million and $12 million that was reclassified from AOCI to interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, where the hedged transactions are no longer expected to occur.