v3.3.0.814

Derivative Instruments (Detail 5) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
--- | --- | ---
Derivative Instruments Subject to Master Netting Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset |  | $ 2,147 | $ 2,497
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | (1,704) | (2,087)
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash | [1] | (113) | (269)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability |  | (1,835) | (2,226)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | 1,704 | 2,087
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash | [1] | 13 | 15
Derivative, Fair Value, Net |  | 312 | 271
Derivative Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Net |  | 0 | 0
Margin/Cash (Received) Posted Subject to Master Netting Arrangement | [1] | (100) | (254)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | 330 | 141
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | (118) | (124)
Derivative, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral, Net |  | 212 | 17
Commodity Exchange Traded Futures and Swaps Contracts [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments Subject to Master Netting Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset |  | 1,584 | 2,134
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | (1,473) | (1,865)
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash | [1] | (111) | (269)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability |  | (1,477) | (1,870)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | 1,473 | 1,865
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash | [1] | 4 | 5
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | 0 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | 0 | 0
Commodity Forward Contract [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments Subject to Master Netting Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset |  | 561 | 359
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | (231) | (222)
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash | [1] | (2) | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability |  | (248) | (242)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | 231 | 222
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash | [1] | 9 | 10
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | 328 | 137
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | (8) | (10)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments Subject to Master Netting Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset |  | 2 | 4
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | 0 | 0
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash | [1] | 0 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability |  | (110) | (114)
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral |  | 0 | 0
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash | [1] | 0 | 0
Derivative, Fair Value, Net |  | (108) | (110)
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | 2 | 4
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral |  | $ (110) | $ (114)
[1] | Negative balances represent margin deposits posted with us by our counterparties related to our derivative activities that are subject to a master netting arrangement. Positive balances reflect margin deposits and natural gas and power prepayments posted by us with our counterparties related to our derivative activities that are subject to a master netting arrangement. See Note 7 for a further discussion of our collateral.

X
- Definition Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral Net Of Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCashNet
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Derivative Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DerivativeFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralNet
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition [Line Items] for Derivative Instruments Subject to Master Netting Arrangement [Table] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cpn_DerivativeInstrumentsSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | cpn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fair value of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected not to be offset, deducted from derivative assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51814546&loc=SL51823488-111719 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, of financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset offset against an obligation to return collateral. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51814546&loc=SL51823488-111719 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, after effects of master netting arrangements, of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset offset against the right to receive collateral. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of the assets less the liabilities of a derivative or group of derivatives. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49121117&loc=d3e13495-108611 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected not to be offset, deducted from derivative liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotOffsetPolicyElectionDeduction
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=cpn_CommodityExchangeTradedFuturesAndSwapsContractsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=cpn_CommodityForwardContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |