v3.10.0.1

Project debt, Movements of project debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | $ 5,475,208 | $ 5,330,467
Increases |  | 393,007 | 356,734
Decreases |  | (620,767) | (551,691)
Debt refinancing IFRS 9 impact | $ (36,600) |  |
Changes in the scope of the consolidated financial statements |  | 81,362 |
Currency translation differences |  | (162,455) | 339,698
Reclassifications |  | 0 | 0
Ending balance |  | 5,091,114 | 5,475,208
IFRS 9 Adjustment [Member] |  |  |
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
First time application of IFRS 9 |  | (39,599) |
Debt refinancing IFRS 9 impact |  | (36,642) |
Project Debt - Long-term [member] |  |  |
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 5,228,917 | 4,629,184
Increases |  | 105,466 | 52,027
Decreases |  | (98,450) | (42,560)
Changes in the scope of the consolidated financial statements |  | 79,016 |
Currency translation differences |  | (150,019) | 316,646
Reclassifications |  | (262,030) | 273,620
Ending balance |  | 4,826,659 | 5,228,917
Project Debt - Long-term [member] | IFRS 9 Adjustment [Member] |  |  |
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
First time application of IFRS 9 |  | (39,599) |
Debt refinancing IFRS 9 impact |  | (36,642) |
Project Debt - Short-term [Member] |  |  |
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 246,291 | 701,283
Increases |  | 288,541 | 304,707
Decreases |  | (522,317) | (509,131)
Changes in the scope of the consolidated financial statements |  | 2,346 |
Currency translation differences |  | (12,436) | 23,052
Reclassifications |  | 262,030 | (273,620)
Ending balance |  | 264,455 | $ 246,291
Project Debt - Short-term [Member] | IFRS 9 Adjustment [Member] |  |  |
Total Project Debt [Abstract] |  |  |
First time application of IFRS 9 |  | 0 |
Debt refinancing IFRS 9 impact |  | $ 0 |

X
- Definition The amount of exchange gains (losses) that arise from foreign currency transactions on long-term and short-term project debt. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_CurrencyTranslationGainsLossesOnProjectDebt
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The gain (loss) recorded to profit and loss from a refinancing of debt with a non-substantial modification of the original debt. The gain or loss is equal to the difference between the present value of the cash flows under the original terms of the former financing and the present value of the cash flows under the new financing, discounted both at the original effective interest rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_FinancialIncomeDebtRefinancing
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The change in carrying amount of financial liabilities due to the initial application of IFRS 9. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_FinancialLiabilitiesInitialApplicationOfIFRS9
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The current and non-current portions of project debt issued at the project level under project finance. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_LongTermAndShortTermProjectDebt
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow from non-current and current borrowings obtained. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_ProceedsFromBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount recognised for long-term and short-term project debt assumed in a business combination. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_ProjectDebtLongTermAndShortTermLiabilitiesAssumedThroughABusinessCombination
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of project debt reclassified between short-term and long-term. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_ReclassificationOfProjectDebt
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow to settle non-current and current borrowings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aby_RepaymentsOfBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | aby_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_NewIFRSsAxis=ifrs-full_InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesAxis=aby_LongTermProjectDebtMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_LiabilitiesArisingFromFinancingActivitiesAxis=ifrs-full_ShorttermBorrowingsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |