v3.19.1

Project debt, Details of project debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Project debt [Abstract]
Cash held to satisfy non-recourse debt agreements	$ 259,000
Non-current	4,769,119	$ 4,826,659
Current	307,233	264,455
Total Project debt	$ 5,076,352	$ 5,091,114

X

- Definition

The amount of cash held to satisfy the customary requirements of certain non-recourse debt agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aby_CashHeldForNonRecourseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	aby_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of current project debt issued at the project level under project finance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aby_CurrentProjectDebt
Namespace Prefix:	aby_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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 non-current portion of non-current project debt issued at the project level under project finance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aby_NoncurrentPortionOfNoncurrentProjectDebt
Namespace Prefix:	aby_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aby_ProjectDebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aby_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration