v3.10.0.1
Financial instruments by category, Reconciliation to statement of financial position (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2017
mi
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
mi
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Financial Assets [Abstract]          
Derivative assets   $ 11,571 $ 8,230    
Investment in Ten West Link   6,034 2,088    
Investment in Abengoas New Money     1,715    
Other financial investments   275,899 243,347    
Clients and other receivables   236,395 244,449    
Cash and cash equivalents   631,542 669,387 $ 594,811 $ 514,712
Total financial assets   1,161,441 1,169,216    
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]          
Corporate debt   684,073 643,083    
Project debt   5,091,114 5,475,208 $ 5,330,467  
Related parties - non-current   33,675 141,031    
Trade and other current liabilities   192,033 155,144    
Derivative liabilities   279,152 329,731    
Total financial liabilities   6,280,047 6,744,197    
Restructuring agreement of Abengoa [Abstract]          
Percentage interest acquired 12.50%        
Length of transmission lines | mi 114        
Amortized Cost [Member]          
Financial Assets [Abstract]          
Derivative assets   0 0    
Investment in Ten West Link   0 0    
Investment in Abengoas New Money     0    
Other financial investments   275,899 243,347    
Clients and other receivables   236,395 244,449    
Cash and cash equivalents   631,542 669,387    
Total financial assets   1,143,836 1,157,183    
Fair Value Through Profit or Loss [Member]          
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]          
Corporate debt   0 0    
Project debt   0 0    
Related parties - non-current   0 0    
Trade and other current liabilities   0 0    
Derivative liabilities   279,152 329,731    
Total financial liabilities   $ 279,152 329,731    
Ten West Link [Member]          
Restructuring agreement of Abengoa [Abstract]          
Percentage interest acquired   12.50%      
Length of transmission lines | mi   114      
Amortized Cost [Member]          
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]          
Corporate debt   $ 684,073 643,083    
Project debt   5,091,114 5,475,208    
Related parties - non-current   33,675 141,031    
Trade and other current liabilities   192,033 155,144    
Derivative liabilities   0 0    
Total financial liabilities   6,000,895 6,414,466    
Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income [Member]          
Financial Assets [Abstract]          
Derivative assets   0 0    
Investment in Ten West Link   6,034 2,088    
Investment in Abengoas New Money     0    
Other financial investments   0 0    
Clients and other receivables   0 0    
Cash and cash equivalents   0 0    
Total financial assets   6,034 2,088    
Fair Value Through Profit or Loss [Member]          
Financial Assets [Abstract]          
Derivative assets   11,571 8,230    
Investment in Ten West Link   0 0    
Investment in Abengoas New Money     1,715    
Other financial investments   0 0    
Clients and other receivables   0 0    
Cash and cash equivalents   0 0    
Total financial assets   $ 11,571 $ 9,945