v3.19.1
Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by geography (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets $ 8,389,508 $ 8,549,181    
Investments carried under the equity method 54,777 53,419    
Current financial investments 243,025 240,834    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 654,618 631,542 $ 755,902 $ 669,387
Total assets 9,819,843 9,919,031    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 5,076,352 5,091,114    
Grants and other liabilities 1,653,323 1,658,126    
Long-term and short-term corporate debt 697,545 684,073    
Total liabilities 8,154,840 8,162,919    
Equity 1,665,003 1,756,112 $ 1,895,136 $ 1,884,967
Total liabilities and equity 9,819,843 9,919,031    
North America [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 3,419,111 3,453,652    
Investments carried under the equity method 0 0    
Current financial investments 140,258 147,213    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 156,085 195,678    
Total assets 3,715,454 3,796,543    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 1,734,366 1,725,961    
Grants and other liabilities 1,518,669 1,527,724    
Total liabilities 3,253,035 3,253,685    
South America [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 1,200,662 1,210,624    
Investments carried under the equity method 0 0    
Current financial investments 70,948 61,959    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 40,526 41,316    
Total assets 1,312,136 1,313,899    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 897,807 900,801    
Grants and other liabilities 8,364 7,550    
Total liabilities 906,171 908,351    
EMEA [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 3,769,735 3,884,905    
Investments carried under the equity method 54,777 53,419    
Current financial investments 30,338 30,080    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 349,772 287,456    
Total assets 4,204,622 4,255,860    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 2,444,179 2,464,352    
Grants and other liabilities 126,290 122,852    
Total liabilities 2,570,469 2,587,204    
Allocated [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 8,389,508 8,549,181    
Investments carried under the equity method 54,777 53,419    
Current financial investments 241,544 239,252    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 546,383 524,450    
Total assets 9,232,212 9,366,302    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 5,076,352 5,091,114    
Grants and other liabilities 1,653,323 1,658,126    
Total liabilities 6,729,675 6,749,240    
Unallocated [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Other non-current assets 217,591 188,736    
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) 370,040 363,993    
Total assets 587,631 552,729    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term corporate debt 697,545 684,073    
Other non-current liabilities 560,833 523,827    
Other current liabilities 166,787 205,779    
Total liabilities 1,425,165 1,413,679    
Equity 1,665,003 1,756,112    
Total liabilities and equity $ 3,090,168 $ 3,169,791