v3.4.0.3

Derivative Instruments (Details 3) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract] |  |  |
Power contracts included in operating revenues |  | $ 1,615 | $ 1,646
Natural gas contracts included in fuel and purchased energy expense |  | 1,126 | 1,010
Interest expense |  | 157 | 154
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax |  | 24 | 130
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Derivatives | [1],[2] | 118 | 59
Mark-to-market gain (loss) | [3] | (94) | 71
Power [Member] |  |  |
Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract] |  |  |
Power contracts included in operating revenues | [1] | 204 | 119
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |
Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract] |  |  |
Interest expense |  | 1 | 1
Mark-to-market gain (loss) | [3] | 1 | 1
Energy Related Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract] |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Derivatives | [1],[2] | 118 | 59
Mark-to-market gain (loss) | [3] | (95) | 70
Natural Gas [Member] |  |  |
Summary of Derivative Instruments by Risk Exposure [Abstract] |  |  |
Natural gas contracts included in fuel and purchased energy expense | [1] | $ (181) | $ 10
[1] | Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.
[2] | Includes amortization of acquisition date fair value of derivative activity related to the acquisition of Champion Energy.
[3] | In addition to changes in market value on derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in mark-to-market gain (loss) also includes hedge ineffectiveness and adjustments to reflect changes in credit default risk exposure.

X
- Definition The aggregate cost of goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period. + 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 210.5-03.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CostOfRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects. + 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=64837297&loc=SL5618551-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The difference between the book value and the sale price of options, swaps, futures, forward contracts, and other derivative instruments. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 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=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestExpense
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=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SummaryOfDerivativeInstrumentsByRiskExposureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period. + 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=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=cpn_PowerMember
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: |

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

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