v3.19.3
Financial information by segment, Assets and liabilities by geography (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets $ 8,103,340 $ 8,549,181    
Investments carried under the equity method 140,585 53,419    
Current financial investments 262,398 240,834    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 641,728 631,542 $ 744,636 $ 669,387
Total assets 9,737,148 9,919,031    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 4,931,347 5,091,114    
Grants and other liabilities 1,640,204 1,658,126    
Long-term and short-term corporate debt 686,409 684,073    
Total liabilities 8,040,103 8,162,919    
Equity 1,697,045 1,756,112 $ 1,893,231 $ 1,884,967
Total liabilities and equity 9,737,148 9,919,031    
North America [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 3,332,194 3,453,652    
Investments carried under the equity method 93,054 0    
Current financial investments 157,972 147,213    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 210,487 195,678    
Total assets 3,793,707 3,796,543    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 1,722,879 1,725,961    
Grants and other liabilities 1,503,410 1,527,724    
Total liabilities 3,226,289 3,253,685    
South America [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 1,179,488 1,210,624    
Investments carried under the equity method 0 0    
Current financial investments 73,054 61,959    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 47,431 41,316    
Total assets 1,299,973 1,313,899    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 893,497 900,801    
Grants and other liabilities 7,404 7,550    
Total liabilities 900,901 908,351    
EMEA [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 3,591,658 3,884,905    
Investments carried under the equity method 47,531 53,419    
Current financial investments 28,308 30,080    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 310,444 287,456    
Total assets 3,977,941 4,255,860    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 2,314,971 2,464,352    
Grants and other liabilities 129,390 122,852    
Total liabilities 2,444,361 2,587,204    
Allocated [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Contracted concessional assets 8,103,340 8,549,181    
Investments carried under the equity method 140,585 53,419    
Current financial investments 259,334 239,252    
Cash and cash equivalents (project companies) 568,362 524,450    
Total assets 9,071,621 9,366,302    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term project debt 4,931,347 5,091,114    
Grants and other liabilities 1,640,204 1,658,126    
Total liabilities 6,571,551 6,749,240    
Unallocated [Member]        
Assets allocated [Abstract]        
Other non-current assets 249,916 188,736    
Other current assets (including cash and cash equivalents at holding company level) 415,611 363,993    
Total assets 665,527 552,729    
Liabilities allocated [Abstract]        
Long-term and short-term corporate debt 686,409 684,073    
Other non-current liabilities 621,150 523,827    
Other current liabilities 160,993 205,779    
Total liabilities 1,468,552 1,413,679    
Equity 1,697,045 1,756,112    
Total liabilities and equity $ 3,165,597 $ 3,169,791