v3.10.0.1
Related parties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 09, 2018
Nov. 30, 2017
Oct. 31, 2017
Feb. 24, 2017
Nov. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Nov. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Nov. 27, 2018
Feb. 28, 2017
Non-controlling ownership interest [Abstract]                            
Additional ownership interests acquired                           12.50%
Details of Balances [Abstract]                            
Total non-current payables with related parties               $ 141,031   $ 33,675 $ 141,031      
Income from the purchase of the long-term operation and maintenance payable                   38,955 0 $ 0    
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Financial income                   36,444 1,007 3,298    
Financial expenses                   $ (425,019) (463,717) (408,007)    
Dividends retained from Abengoa       $ 10,400                    
Solana [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Fair value of land received         $ 7,300                  
Algonquin [Member]                            
Non-controlling ownership interest [Abstract]                            
Additional ownership interests acquired                         16.47%  
Ownership interest 25.00%               25.00% 41.47%        
Related Parties [Member]                            
Details of Balances [Abstract]                            
Total current receivables with related parties               11,567   $ 5,328 11,567      
Total non-current receivables with related parties               2,108   0 2,108      
Total current payables with related parties               63,409   19,352 63,409      
Total non-current payables with related parties               141,031   33,675 141,031      
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Dividends retained from Abengoa                     10,400 28,000    
Income for cancellation of subordinated debt                       7,600    
Income for discounts received for prepayment of payables                       1,700    
Subsidiaries [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Services rendered                   0 3,495 1,220    
Services received                   (101,582) (114,416) (115,779)    
Financial income                   3,721 74 60    
Financial expenses                   (398) (1,154) $ (2,460)    
Abengoa [Member]                            
Details of Balances [Abstract]                            
Accrued Operation and Maintenance payable               57,300   35,300 $ 57,300      
Payment for debt extinguishment                   18,300        
Income from the purchase of the long-term operation and maintenance payable                   $ 39,000        
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Term to maintain guarantees and letters of credit                   5 years        
Guarantees amount                   $ 23,000        
Guarantees amount replaced           $ 112,000                
Guarantees amount, canceled           $ 55,000                
Abengoa [Member] | Solana [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Performance consideration received   $ 120,000             $ 120,000          
Performance obligations proceeds received from Abengoa         16,500   $ 77,500 $ 42,500            
Performance obligations proceeds applied to project debt   95,000     9,000       95,000          
Other obligations   $ 25,000     7,500       $ 25,000          
Agreed amount to fund reserve account in year 2020 and 2021         13,000                  
Abengoa [Member] | Solana [Member] | First 2 Years [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Long-term payments payable         7,400                  
Abengoa [Member] | Solana [Member] | Subsequent 4 Years [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Long-term payments payable         $ 10,300                  
Abengoa [Member] | Solana and Mojave [Member]                            
Transactions With Related Party [Abstract]                            
Minimum ownership requirement percentage   16.00% 30.00%