<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:38a3e0fd-32c0-4b9d-b8c1-eddcb3173700,g:14ccba70-bc22-4f70-afcf-f49fd222e510-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="iadb400b07515408894eb74eb239d9dc4_CoverPage">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_5b0e178c-589a-4084-8f42-92ed85c80dfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_5b0e178c-589a-4084-8f42-92ed85c80dfd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_d0bf80d3-75fe-4532-b62d-c1d46006f974" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_d0bf80d3-75fe-4532-b62d-c1d46006f974" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_f6b79018-a5f4-4096-8479-f34511469731" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_f6b79018-a5f4-4096-8479-f34511469731" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_67815e67-6d48-477c-abd2-1937e1c185c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_67815e67-6d48-477c-abd2-1937e1c185c1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_d80e2685-2060-4e47-90f1-fcab0dd1a46b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_d80e2685-2060-4e47-90f1-fcab0dd1a46b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_762ae27e-7b66-4d17-997c-fdc89f35b12e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_762ae27e-7b66-4d17-997c-fdc89f35b12e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_2f1844c9-9b6a-45ee-8206-7f86715ab2b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_2f1844c9-9b6a-45ee-8206-7f86715ab2b2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_546e2dd5-0410-4d8a-9395-855a1db19ee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_546e2dd5-0410-4d8a-9395-855a1db19ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_f0605b96-bfdf-41b4-92ae-aea5491a5fa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_f0605b96-bfdf-41b4-92ae-aea5491a5fa6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_2d67671c-f7f4-408a-a72e-8f4a665a1d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_2d67671c-f7f4-408a-a72e-8f4a665a1d84" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_fb85fbcc-c288-40db-8e14-e07d89a172e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_fb85fbcc-c288-40db-8e14-e07d89a172e8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_23ef6a6b-f9b1-482a-96af-bdcbcc99e61b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_23ef6a6b-f9b1-482a-96af-bdcbcc99e61b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_eb536c1a-cd4e-44d8-ab75-f3514d8b53b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_eb536c1a-cd4e-44d8-ab75-f3514d8b53b4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_ae4caff2-0d6c-4fcd-8be2-6b6af4c2b5d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_ae4caff2-0d6c-4fcd-8be2-6b6af4c2b5d3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_2c4e9b66-f30f-4ed0-b606-be279ba20a25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_2c4e9b66-f30f-4ed0-b606-be279ba20a25" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_61cc6855-a868-41f9-978e-31f90fefe155" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_61cc6855-a868-41f9-978e-31f90fefe155" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_c3cb601c-97ae-40ac-8fcf-9b21e1c24d3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_c3cb601c-97ae-40ac-8fcf-9b21e1c24d3b" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_337e0fa1-5a4f-4310-a045-11bdb3966139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_337e0fa1-5a4f-4310-a045-11bdb3966139" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_a79281cf-9440-47f0-b327-ff669f3b1507" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_a79281cf-9440-47f0-b327-ff669f3b1507" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_53663cbd-30d2-4c78-bde0-8994fb21d0b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_53663cbd-30d2-4c78-bde0-8994fb21d0b0" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_48139290-9162-4fbb-affd-833dfcb3e7d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_48139290-9162-4fbb-affd-833dfcb3e7d7" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_2af8c501-2899-46aa-9b4f-573bd2531728" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_2af8c501-2899-46aa-9b4f-573bd2531728" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_cb8e029e-7752-414f-99fc-2a3f82d07c91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_cb8e029e-7752-414f-99fc-2a3f82d07c91" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_599f1a69-1c04-4d96-9139-32ae40c9edc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_599f1a69-1c04-4d96-9139-32ae40c9edc7" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_99d91980-8e07-46e7-9403-5affbc2d0f19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_99d91980-8e07-46e7-9403-5affbc2d0f19" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_6607539b-c0e0-4a33-bb1f-d9aa95dd62d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_6607539b-c0e0-4a33-bb1f-d9aa95dd62d4" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_ed0db968-e4de-4fd7-bc49-76271fd76bb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_63687016-ce7a-40c1-a5dc-35c0976dc746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_ed0db968-e4de-4fd7-bc49-76271fd76bb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_ed0db968-e4de-4fd7-bc49-76271fd76bb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5980b46f-cc4d-4363-ab05-8ed40878d195" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4d2410ff-733a-458e-b732-ec8e06addd13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4d2410ff-733a-458e-b732-ec8e06addd13" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_ff41878b-caeb-4d60-9530-54d78308eaff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_ff41878b-caeb-4d60-9530-54d78308eaff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_a52f6a7e-7ad5-478f-a0b1-7a1e83ddcbcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_a52f6a7e-7ad5-478f-a0b1-7a1e83ddcbcb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_02d85e7e-d282-45e3-bd38-9004e5d04374" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f9eb784d-96d6-48a9-a8f1-6c1f78ce7421" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_02d85e7e-d282-45e3-bd38-9004e5d04374" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofMembersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofMembersEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofMembersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i486a0e4177ae4663afb1d65fbe41b9eb_ConsolidatedStatementsofMembersEquityUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb89d67c-95a2-496a-8051-a446c16a368c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb89d67c-95a2-496a-8051-a446c16a368c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLlcMembersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_d33b0e8e-0eb3-4d14-bcf1-4966ab06c265" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLlcMembersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLlcMembersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_d33b0e8e-0eb3-4d14-bcf1-4966ab06c265" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments_4df1f356-c044-4b2a-a9f2-c1f9da44cad6" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments_4df1f356-c044-4b2a-a9f2-c1f9da44cad6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_3a42c002-d8dd-4625-acd2-7dcd4afb7125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_3a42c002-d8dd-4625-acd2-7dcd4afb7125" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_0fd0abda-5c5f-4c97-8fba-7c0653d0916f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_0fd0abda-5c5f-4c97-8fba-7c0653d0916f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest_5ce80e51-6069-4a00-9658-56da8e230a79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest_5ce80e51-6069-4a00-9658-56da8e230a79" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_5d9bc6ca-271f-4c64-aa14-0b370506da29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_5d9bc6ca-271f-4c64-aa14-0b370506da29" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_819cea52-e4ca-4a98-aa1c-23176c7e9f7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_819cea52-e4ca-4a98-aa1c-23176c7e9f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_4a978c5f-12be-4a6e-8c56-c80f9ea13255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_9cf3b57c-6d1e-4d98-bee0-520064a0e0fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_4a978c5f-12be-4a6e-8c56-c80f9ea13255" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLlcMembersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_8e715626-781f-4b9f-b72b-898dd2650245" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLlcMembersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash_01c07505-180b-4e13-bc65-924e1cbcd346" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb89d67c-95a2-496a-8051-a446c16a368c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash_01c07505-180b-4e13-bc65-924e1cbcd346" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_12effe09-f101-4045-a5e1-f3bfb9ce7e23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb89d67c-95a2-496a-8051-a446c16a368c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_12effe09-f101-4045-a5e1-f3bfb9ce7e23" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_12effe09-f101-4045-a5e1-f3bfb9ce7e23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_4c38fc71-155d-4693-a3d7-ecd1a5c524fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7ef3ff06-4f8a-483f-ae40-1c018d0ef1e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7ef3ff06-4f8a-483f-ae40-1c018d0ef1e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_e88ff5df-4373-49ab-948b-0b7b7fb67e45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_e88ff5df-4373-49ab-948b-0b7b7fb67e45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_b8cdd128-1dd1-4a28-b038-188e4ce572a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_b8cdd128-1dd1-4a28-b038-188e4ce572a7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_9bf46417-5bab-4184-9ec6-6b1ff2dafc7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f1dc36b1-fb04-44d8-86ec-c9291ef4f618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_9bf46417-5bab-4184-9ec6-6b1ff2dafc7a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_12effe09-f101-4045-a5e1-f3bfb9ce7e23" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_de48c020-55d4-448b-bef1-aed228e2d01c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_47b909dc-d4d3-4c82-ba4f-ab20cf75c184" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_de48c020-55d4-448b-bef1-aed228e2d01c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_f416ac87-bc22-413c-bf0e-70dffae2c286" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_de48c020-55d4-448b-bef1-aed228e2d01c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_f416ac87-bc22-413c-bf0e-70dffae2c286" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_f6f15506-670b-4e5d-a606-48754a4fab5e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_de48c020-55d4-448b-bef1-aed228e2d01c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_f6f15506-670b-4e5d-a606-48754a4fab5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_3b86ac59-6fb8-4b1a-b56b-1ce9e308fb8c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_de48c020-55d4-448b-bef1-aed228e2d01c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_3b86ac59-6fb8-4b1a-b56b-1ce9e308fb8c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_12effe09-f101-4045-a5e1-f3bfb9ce7e23" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a17af247-183f-4d47-9578-3b74b669926b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_35fc5241-9228-4fed-832f-5be4447ea91d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_35fc5241-9228-4fed-832f-5be4447ea91d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_5ea3201b-f0b3-4e79-813b-fb1925ba9889" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_5ea3201b-f0b3-4e79-813b-fb1925ba9889" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_6f082628-79f6-40fb-8bc8-a03f89f43e4f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_6f082628-79f6-40fb-8bc8-a03f89f43e4f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember_e22fb503-8713-4c1d-a290-e71ba88b0308" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember_e22fb503-8713-4c1d-a290-e71ba88b0308" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeDropdownMember_c934e953-9b45-4b08-bd8c-0535c403b720" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeDropdownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_28ade42f-85e8-4e8d-a065-2cc6eeee2006" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeDropdownMember_c934e953-9b45-4b08-bd8c-0535c403b720" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/NatureofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#NatureofBusinessDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/NatureofBusinessDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0fe44accb1a5463b8c757b9287c30874_NatureofBusinessDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_938fb28b-4c54-4f7c-9bd8-3cd5fc16c0b1" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_938fb28b-4c54-4f7c-9bd8-3cd5fc16c0b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_540a1966-0a2d-4423-ae3d-48b81eb832cd" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_540a1966-0a2d-4423-ae3d-48b81eb832cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_4932614e-ee35-4945-a71c-9cf2cbf2ffd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_4932614e-ee35-4945-a71c-9cf2cbf2ffd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest_31b883ad-d196-4bab-97ab-b05600c0ab38" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest_31b883ad-d196-4bab-97ab-b05600c0ab38" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_BasisofPresentationLineItems_ff437c11-e6d9-4ebb-95a6-d6d6780e4a36" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cd7070ca-efb9-474d-a929-f45ec116ddd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7f3543da-1fd5-48a4-926a-9a9e280abbcd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cd7070ca-efb9-474d-a929-f45ec116ddd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_d4d3d783-cd1b-433e-aac1-6d74aa4e3218" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cd7070ca-efb9-474d-a929-f45ec116ddd5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_d4d3d783-cd1b-433e-aac1-6d74aa4e3218" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_3fae4687-8568-40d3-845f-27a4629aea50" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cd7070ca-efb9-474d-a929-f45ec116ddd5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_3fae4687-8568-40d3-845f-27a4629aea50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PublicShareholdersMember_bfe4f6ee-e618-4ff1-9add-428a4d8e05df" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PublicShareholdersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cd7070ca-efb9-474d-a929-f45ec116ddd5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PublicShareholdersMember_bfe4f6ee-e618-4ff1-9add-428a4d8e05df" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_d97bb44a-4fab-4812-9632-6b5e878db1d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_9515fd00-8e0b-4520-9f8f-3649688355d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_d97bb44a-4fab-4812-9632-6b5e878db1d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_8356544b-ac84-4fe9-a3a3-e20965b50583" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_d97bb44a-4fab-4812-9632-6b5e878db1d1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_8356544b-ac84-4fe9-a3a3-e20965b50583" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_04c2da2f-62cc-4f57-b94d-584d01833d07" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_d97bb44a-4fab-4812-9632-6b5e878db1d1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_04c2da2f-62cc-4f57-b94d-584d01833d07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692_default" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_524f42db-0a97-483b-8713-655890484900" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_12c36110-ac04-4765-92ec-e151cca11692" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_524f42db-0a97-483b-8713-655890484900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_3891eb86-63c1-4c74-b06d-a095859d71e4" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_524f42db-0a97-483b-8713-655890484900" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_3891eb86-63c1-4c74-b06d-a095859d71e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember_b85ba4eb-9b5e-42ce-a5f4-e4f3563c09dd" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_524f42db-0a97-483b-8713-655890484900" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember_b85ba4eb-9b5e-42ce-a5f4-e4f3563c09dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d799b3d2-307e-4c6c-8983-b7daecadd128" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ae72a54-f2e8-4a5b-be34-022b8e6c5956" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d799b3d2-307e-4c6c-8983-b7daecadd128" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_5893d677-44de-432a-bfd6-01f8414db384" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d799b3d2-307e-4c6c-8983-b7daecadd128" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_5893d677-44de-432a-bfd6-01f8414db384" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c2eef32-7236-4e45-9f33-e4dc017367d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_bd43797c-f4d5-47f3-851e-1db05d918493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c2eef32-7236-4e45-9f33-e4dc017367d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_4f9b7a47-7d28-4202-9b6d-206b6014b024" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c2eef32-7236-4e45-9f33-e4dc017367d7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_4f9b7a47-7d28-4202-9b6d-206b6014b024" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_4eef1203-516b-4a9c-bba5-51fd420d4a6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4afdccd6-ce87-40bd-8e77-42268f2f8bee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_c254c097-a06d-49c4-aef6-3bfe4590e5d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4afdccd6-ce87-40bd-8e77-42268f2f8bee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3cea8cc9-fc9c-42cb-842e-686848c44ebb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4afdccd6-ce87-40bd-8e77-42268f2f8bee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3cea8cc9-fc9c-42cb-842e-686848c44ebb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifdac8dcadc1a49aa8296665d2fb4675b_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashCashEquivalentsandRestrictedCashDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_151ebeeb-bc65-4965-9437-31851d559121" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_151ebeeb-bc65-4965-9437-31851d559121" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_de83db69-0401-4377-9857-bd25c8e13519" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_de83db69-0401-4377-9857-bd25c8e13519" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_98f3bfd4-f55b-410e-b5d0-c96285c9842b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_de83db69-0401-4377-9857-bd25c8e13519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_98f3bfd4-f55b-410e-b5d0-c96285c9842b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_63a1dfa7-46f7-48d3-9c0d-30c4863314c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_de83db69-0401-4377-9857-bd25c8e13519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_63a1dfa7-46f7-48d3-9c0d-30c4863314c4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_1d901b3c-cb0f-4337-9393-0bac9a779dc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_de83db69-0401-4377-9857-bd25c8e13519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_1d901b3c-cb0f-4337-9393-0bac9a779dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable_a9f340b1-3dd0-4f23-a1d4-1291a27eafed" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable_a9f340b1-3dd0-4f23-a1d4-1291a27eafed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized_009abc7d-73b7-411e-8969-9df7adf687da" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized_009abc7d-73b7-411e-8969-9df7adf687da" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_653a3a8e-f6a9-4dd2-ab4f-c701ea8b9050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_8c0393f5-0f1f-45c9-93b0-85eb38bd4944" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_3ce963ca-0503-470a-ac7b-8004c22bf349" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_8c0393f5-0f1f-45c9-93b0-85eb38bd4944" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OperatingFundsMember_0653afd6-51c7-4c37-8dfa-52f7fdcabd33" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_OperatingFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_8c0393f5-0f1f-45c9-93b0-85eb38bd4944" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OperatingFundsMember_0653afd6-51c7-4c37-8dfa-52f7fdcabd33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PurposeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f_default" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PurposeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_554df00d-b5ca-4348-b94b-e999542f8156" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PurposeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_036aa8d6-9584-49c2-a55f-9068c96c324f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_554df00d-b5ca-4348-b94b-e999542f8156" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember_f07b26cd-46de-4eca-b85a-f63678848e44" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_554df00d-b5ca-4348-b94b-e999542f8156" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember_f07b26cd-46de-4eca-b85a-f63678848e44" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember_1d441440-c274-46cb-b444-779beb46d591" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_554df00d-b5ca-4348-b94b-e999542f8156" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember_1d441440-c274-46cb-b444-779beb46d591" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_254004b0-e65a-446d-97c2-ecb2f72bb775" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_554df00d-b5ca-4348-b94b-e999542f8156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_254004b0-e65a-446d-97c2-ecb2f72bb775" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_ba71a77f-34e5-419e-b40a-615dbad557cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_c2fb8cd7-6acc-49cf-8e43-d339c2c73314" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_ba71a77f-34e5-419e-b40a-615dbad557cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_6b6c97d6-a2b5-498c-9163-e2489d6487a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_ba71a77f-34e5-419e-b40a-615dbad557cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_6b6c97d6-a2b5-498c-9163-e2489d6487a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_9c8e09d8-6f88-47dd-8008-abecc1fb92bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a75f6c41-fdc9-4a81-ba25-c4c8899e0cbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_84cc8d64-9e5c-469b-a980-716202998fe3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a75f6c41-fdc9-4a81-ba25-c4c8899e0cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_8dcbd7ad-d97b-4f42-9439-a9ab8f439213" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a75f6c41-fdc9-4a81-ba25-c4c8899e0cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_8dcbd7ad-d97b-4f42-9439-a9ab8f439213" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDistributionsPaidDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDistributionsPaidDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDistributionsPaidDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e84945300a04745933c811ff3cbae3c_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDistributionsPaidDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_5d05416b-a5eb-4b55-84e2-f195180e1e51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_cd6b8187-9e15-447a-b9cb-7d55420ed1cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_5d05416b-a5eb-4b55-84e2-f195180e1e51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_cd6b8187-9e15-447a-b9cb-7d55420ed1cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_777cc63a-9796-4bb5-bb2c-2bc8f7509823" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_5d05416b-a5eb-4b55-84e2-f195180e1e51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_777cc63a-9796-4bb5-bb2c-2bc8f7509823" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_85bbb97f-c388-470e-8640-a2b21752ef92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_5d05416b-a5eb-4b55-84e2-f195180e1e51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_85bbb97f-c388-470e-8640-a2b21752ef92" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_85bbb97f-c388-470e-8640-a2b21752ef92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2663caf7-cc08-4c18-9aad-f75f87d30442" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_92d1f032-da71-4717-bc6c-59889636877b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_92d1f032-da71-4717-bc6c-59889636877b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_c6ac1ea5-f078-4bba-b0d4-9610d22f547c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_c6ac1ea5-f078-4bba-b0d4-9610d22f547c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_bad76a5d-af96-47e1-afe4-524a799f1b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_bad76a5d-af96-47e1-afe4-524a799f1b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_d98f2071-2421-41a5-bdfe-dc0ae67147c9" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0269a681-f5f1-4872-9eb2-45b1f5a4201c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_d98f2071-2421-41a5-bdfe-dc0ae67147c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_85bbb97f-c388-470e-8640-a2b21752ef92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_36c59928-6940-4be1-b0af-468f84d78c74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ee9ccb33-e2fb-451e-a6a8-337be7f4e826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_36c59928-6940-4be1-b0af-468f84d78c74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_05e5ee13-4918-4050-9ab0-f3072f707777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_36c59928-6940-4be1-b0af-468f84d78c74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_05e5ee13-4918-4050-9ab0-f3072f707777" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iefab9bebd62d4937bab0ff091e5e3687_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_cb37bd7b-1cee-488a-b5ad-30002f633625" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_0093e5e0-7b8a-4c0e-957e-3d945f987330" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_cb37bd7b-1cee-488a-b5ad-30002f633625" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_0093e5e0-7b8a-4c0e-957e-3d945f987330" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_ebae1310-5b82-4065-a6dd-66063a00381a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_cb37bd7b-1cee-488a-b5ad-30002f633625" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_ebae1310-5b82-4065-a6dd-66063a00381a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_ebae1310-5b82-4065-a6dd-66063a00381a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_ed9cf917-2250-4904-b2f5-14b0eb10e95d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6ec2c452-80a8-4262-b81a-073813964a44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_ed9cf917-2250-4904-b2f5-14b0eb10e95d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_6e3510c5-1e0d-43b3-8717-d97edc65122e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_ed9cf917-2250-4904-b2f5-14b0eb10e95d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_6e3510c5-1e0d-43b3-8717-d97edc65122e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_ebae1310-5b82-4065-a6dd-66063a00381a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa135a48-2873-428a-9ea0-9893d6358f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_71d72762-b527-4485-b797-81707e507ca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa135a48-2873-428a-9ea0-9893d6358f30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_39f8e6b2-d144-45b8-a9a6-38adb72bd262" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa135a48-2873-428a-9ea0-9893d6358f30" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_39f8e6b2-d144-45b8-a9a6-38adb72bd262" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_ebae1310-5b82-4065-a6dd-66063a00381a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e72c3f58-c15e-4327-9798-daf02953dbad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_accb001e-361e-498c-b74e-c0030d5c7350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e72c3f58-c15e-4327-9798-daf02953dbad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_7f6a0375-3f87-40f0-80ec-410aa370d025" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e72c3f58-c15e-4327-9798-daf02953dbad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_7f6a0375-3f87-40f0-80ec-410aa370d025" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ide89862ede44475ebde004e489152c32_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_5781cb6d-6d8f-4e41-b9af-48d43d69163b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_5781cb6d-6d8f-4e41-b9af-48d43d69163b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_5bc5037e-b133-4a02-85b9-d1a2232d6891" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_5bc5037e-b133-4a02-85b9-d1a2232d6891" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities_5230e288-6a7a-445a-9022-ea5a56568e8d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities_5230e288-6a7a-445a-9022-ea5a56568e8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_165f0667-1b0d-487a-9004-73e81cd5ca34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities_dc4d6e9a-37e5-458f-af33-55673052a33d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_d77d6aa1-b214-4eca-afcb-a40f465ad02d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_d77d6aa1-b214-4eca-afcb-a40f465ad02d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_7e4cd7b7-6191-4527-82c2-9a4d22f096f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_14a92835-1924-4277-8a1d-2726aa805a1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_14a92835-1924-4277-8a1d-2726aa805a1c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_716b8b6b-b933-4782-9fc1-38260f96a231" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_d58da9c4-82bf-42e7-b62a-092e4d5d4674" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_716b8b6b-b933-4782-9fc1-38260f96a231" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_716b8b6b-b933-4782-9fc1-38260f96a231" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6fd52efa-68fd-41f9-b9fd-99847e84907f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_90438358-fb7b-489a-8a0d-4afbe4d01f91" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6fd52efa-68fd-41f9-b9fd-99847e84907f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_6b646c93-089c-4161-a58f-406c8bdc9eaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_6fd52efa-68fd-41f9-b9fd-99847e84907f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_6b646c93-089c-4161-a58f-406c8bdc9eaa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_716b8b6b-b933-4782-9fc1-38260f96a231" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fc3f413-2f20-40e6-a1f7-547e97a2c980" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ee323cec-f2ac-46d4-bf19-dd726c9cbd15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fc3f413-2f20-40e6-a1f7-547e97a2c980" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_e2f5f074-8171-4c32-942b-8c8a1083bb5f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fc3f413-2f20-40e6-a1f7-547e97a2c980" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_e2f5f074-8171-4c32-942b-8c8a1083bb5f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_2351b386-00c0-4867-8b3c-32eaa9948be3" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fc3f413-2f20-40e6-a1f7-547e97a2c980" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_2351b386-00c0-4867-8b3c-32eaa9948be3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_41b444e8-f74f-4250-bc64-a4dd8dc768ee" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5fc3f413-2f20-40e6-a1f7-547e97a2c980" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_41b444e8-f74f-4250-bc64-a4dd8dc768ee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_716b8b6b-b933-4782-9fc1-38260f96a231" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_11e13854-d552-457a-bdb2-13e068d59bf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d63d047-bea1-49e2-91fa-46bdf39b23b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_11e13854-d552-457a-bdb2-13e068d59bf9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_e8699cc6-77d8-42b8-a4c5-1efd797fd6b3" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_EnergyRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_11e13854-d552-457a-bdb2-13e068d59bf9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_e8699cc6-77d8-42b8-a4c5-1efd797fd6b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_716c0d82-a89d-4e87-a854-b69860a79e5c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CapacityRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_11e13854-d552-457a-bdb2-13e068d59bf9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_716c0d82-a89d-4e87-a854-b69860a79e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember_464312bf-5bac-4960-8250-bce26d76e705" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_11e13854-d552-457a-bdb2-13e068d59bf9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember_464312bf-5bac-4960-8250-bce26d76e705" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i56214e87a6874f4a947c6500967a3280_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_a65d8931-3164-4eb9-81f7-9f1663393580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_47fb50aa-e761-40a5-8d22-aac7dfe663a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_a65d8931-3164-4eb9-81f7-9f1663393580" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_47fb50aa-e761-40a5-8d22-aac7dfe663a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_3e5adfe8-7ea2-4843-a629-3c6a5e1201f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_a65d8931-3164-4eb9-81f7-9f1663393580" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_3e5adfe8-7ea2-4843-a629-3c6a5e1201f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_3e5adfe8-7ea2-4843-a629-3c6a5e1201f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_fbec7bf0-43fe-4f91-b7f8-971dbb846663" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_44f55e45-4787-43bf-8314-05ca5772c288" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_fbec7bf0-43fe-4f91-b7f8-971dbb846663" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_87cec324-7fa8-4f28-9dc8-1c711264b555" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_fbec7bf0-43fe-4f91-b7f8-971dbb846663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_87cec324-7fa8-4f28-9dc8-1c711264b555" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAgreementsMember_b85ef890-38a9-492d-930a-906f7b9af184" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_fbec7bf0-43fe-4f91-b7f8-971dbb846663" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAgreementsMember_b85ef890-38a9-492d-930a-906f7b9af184" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionandDispositionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#AcquisitionandDispositionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionandDispositionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i979c7272668e4cfd96014c3d3c913e54_AcquisitionandDispositionsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_0f518c43-3e95-4282-bc24-ceadb36bebf0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_0f518c43-3e95-4282-bc24-ceadb36bebf0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationStorageCapacityMegawatts_d6ea53a2-5573-4a46-b11a-489eabad96d0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationStorageCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationStorageCapacityMegawatts_d6ea53a2-5573-4a46-b11a-489eabad96d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_9724ca4e-0010-4bb3-8c9f-d1f6cd7fa596" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_9724ca4e-0010-4bb3-8c9f-d1f6cd7fa596" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_a93a5eaa-720c-4670-abd6-34bf1c992e4e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_a93a5eaa-720c-4670-abd6-34bf1c992e4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_be150e4c-c95d-4881-a418-a8b7dc21ff26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_be150e4c-c95d-4881-a418-a8b7dc21ff26" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_847140e8-15a0-4ca6-8646-6eae8afd861b" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_847140e8-15a0-4ca6-8646-6eae8afd861b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_1186636a-2bf1-4abd-ba49-4352bfedbb40" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_1186636a-2bf1-4abd-ba49-4352bfedbb40" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_617424e9-16a1-42a5-b911-3a39a5266936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_617424e9-16a1-42a5-b911-3a39a5266936" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_9f130836-1f59-41b6-8e69-9b5311008c8a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_9f130836-1f59-41b6-8e69-9b5311008c8a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts_07cdb256-2dd8-4a70-9814-579582d7a16d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTransactionCosts_07cdb256-2dd8-4a70-9814-579582d7a16d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_638e8c15-d295-4500-b963-0917dbcaabf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_638e8c15-d295-4500-b963-0917dbcaabf4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent_b7b69e18-0b25-4f74-9e27-825a9bf95315" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent_b7b69e18-0b25-4f74-9e27-825a9bf95315" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent_6b368e54-b8e6-425c-bd92-ccdaba1b2654" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent_6b368e54-b8e6-425c-bd92-ccdaba1b2654" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent_4699138d-196d-4ec9-b676-df7d6c279750" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent_4699138d-196d-4ec9-b676-df7d6c279750" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_b4d658e4-25c7-40fc-8180-55f1367b9314" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_f8bd229e-573e-4c6a-ac8c-08a1631882b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_33f25f41-689d-41db-bef5-b5fce3642a70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_f8bd229e-573e-4c6a-ac8c-08a1631882b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_b8bacd0a-7aaa-4a93-a9a0-617368078fb1" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_f8bd229e-573e-4c6a-ac8c-08a1631882b7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_b8bacd0a-7aaa-4a93-a9a0-617368078fb1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6839510e-3fe7-42a8-adf0-34fbc147e0b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d7e0cad6-b9ca-41eb-a479-6e8f4ef4d034" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6839510e-3fe7-42a8-adf0-34fbc147e0b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_3b5ea5c3-fa31-4b4d-a8d4-ee016d96088a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6839510e-3fe7-42a8-adf0-34fbc147e0b3" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_3b5ea5c3-fa31-4b4d-a8d4-ee016d96088a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80_default" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_4e538b17-6504-4e4c-9a2c-5ee2a3842fcc" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_bdfac2ea-41ac-4ee7-9265-bf4e604b9a80" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_4e538b17-6504-4e4c-9a2c-5ee2a3842fcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeEnergyMember_137b995d-68f7-43df-9fa1-1f8b19d5dcdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AlternativeEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeDomain_4e538b17-6504-4e4c-9a2c-5ee2a3842fcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeEnergyMember_137b995d-68f7-43df-9fa1-1f8b19d5dcdc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cfef47e4-92e3-42ed-aa60-b3483713ae71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_840375a4-d12e-4c6d-823b-974006a1160b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cfef47e4-92e3-42ed-aa60-b3483713ae71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_901f0521-f490-4692-bfcc-81d6a2ebbc5a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_cfef47e4-92e3-42ed-aa60-b3483713ae71" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_901f0521-f490-4692-bfcc-81d6a2ebbc5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0fd5db49-bd58-4409-9555-5be9d7ed099c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_e635028d-5b0a-4fd9-bd54-00fda1a0d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0fd5db49-bd58-4409-9555-5be9d7ed099c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_3159a598-a8f1-40e7-9aad-b7749ea44b0a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0fd5db49-bd58-4409-9555-5be9d7ed099c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_3159a598-a8f1-40e7-9aad-b7749ea44b0a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_61946b54-97da-4dfd-97c4-d30b17831a81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_38777b73-c4b4-4ff5-bf3d-b08f28124725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_61946b54-97da-4dfd-97c4-d30b17831a81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_654c8ab0-ef53-4e21-ac2e-48328dda07c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_61946b54-97da-4dfd-97c4-d30b17831a81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_654c8ab0-ef53-4e21-ac2e-48328dda07c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4af70c23-6852-4e12-bed2-f52097baadfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f31cda49-8f62-4a02-930b-6f2f859b8da0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4af70c23-6852-4e12-bed2-f52097baadfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_cb98ab27-7ce0-488f-a585-a884ad99d761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4af70c23-6852-4e12-bed2-f52097baadfe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_cb98ab27-7ce0-488f-a585-a884ad99d761" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_e6b3ac9d-255f-48f9-92da-55d96db14dab" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_72fd26a2-54a2-4da1-900d-6a475d6b21da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_c4d43c10-0a0e-49e9-8d6a-b3203390873a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_72fd26a2-54a2-4da1-900d-6a475d6b21da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_91842fae-f18c-43d5-8de5-6e502455af98" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_72fd26a2-54a2-4da1-900d-6a475d6b21da" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_91842fae-f18c-43d5-8de5-6e502455af98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_e206e376-844d-47aa-85f1-485b90984130" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_72fd26a2-54a2-4da1-900d-6a475d6b21da" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_e206e376-844d-47aa-85f1-485b90984130" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic16acd50375b402d8ca21d3b28a6155f_AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent_b56f0d7c-a5e5-4e5b-8759-d05c74aadee4" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent_b56f0d7c-a5e5-4e5b-8759-d05c74aadee4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet_e934a22c-6134-4f20-9c3b-62f8d633fe61" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet_e934a22c-6134-4f20-9c3b-62f8d633fe61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset_bdebeae2-ae53-4396-9bcd-097854305ced" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset_bdebeae2-ae53-4396-9bcd-097854305ced" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired_eaa7215f-6900-4198-9b6c-60b27e6ecdd8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired_eaa7215f-6900-4198-9b6c-60b27e6ecdd8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_740ca470-ae24-49f4-b13d-0daf0e42d851" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_740ca470-ae24-49f4-b13d-0daf0e42d851" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_43d385e8-a34b-47eb-bcc2-6f9e30f913f8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_43d385e8-a34b-47eb-bcc2-6f9e30f913f8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_8201174f-57c1-4307-8807-3ccb21b349ba" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_8201174f-57c1-4307-8807-3ccb21b349ba" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed_64db63c6-66c0-4b4c-b971-0237cb06d7f0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed_64db63c6-66c0-4b4c-b971-0237cb06d7f0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_846d8293-eac3-4073-abb5-60c81626ff10" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_846d8293-eac3-4073-abb5-60c81626ff10" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_02065467-7c64-4016-8655-68270aa2642a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_02065467-7c64-4016-8655-68270aa2642a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_22c76ea1-339b-44ae-99c0-4b13656f5a23" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_22c76ea1-339b-44ae-99c0-4b13656f5a23" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_b164609c-dd84-44db-aa01-7541fd9b2361" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_b164609c-dd84-44db-aa01-7541fd9b2361" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_f2e7a0a6-abed-44c7-b23e-d06538b77171" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_f2e7a0a6-abed-44c7-b23e-d06538b77171" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProceedsFromNoncontrollingInterestsExpectedUponSubstantialCompletion_72040f74-10a3-4702-8571-625cb1c42e0a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ProceedsFromNoncontrollingInterestsExpectedUponSubstantialCompletion"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProceedsFromNoncontrollingInterestsExpectedUponSubstantialCompletion_72040f74-10a3-4702-8571-625cb1c42e0a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionLineItems_eb0f6c1a-0a53-4733-9567-7a03a84fef50" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_86aada0e-45c9-4564-835d-3b7dcba2b16a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_9517122f-d0ba-4025-b77a-44d6d5ee0f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_86aada0e-45c9-4564-835d-3b7dcba2b16a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_85a76f9f-113c-4415-9791-d2a06063a751" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_86aada0e-45c9-4564-835d-3b7dcba2b16a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_85a76f9f-113c-4415-9791-d2a06063a751" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37f1a722-e93c-4ca0-9613-cb4bd2803c51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_5680fab1-adf0-415d-9f0a-1d5deafa9e4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37f1a722-e93c-4ca0-9613-cb4bd2803c51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_099bb0a2-cbbe-404c-be22-11bbbf685c53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37f1a722-e93c-4ca0-9613-cb4bd2803c51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_099bb0a2-cbbe-404c-be22-11bbbf685c53" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember_02565245-28f4-47c5-bed5-fe6a769adc5d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37f1a722-e93c-4ca0-9613-cb4bd2803c51" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember_02565245-28f4-47c5-bed5-fe6a769adc5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember_458fd323-46c9-44b9-8695-713712c9bfec" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37f1a722-e93c-4ca0-9613-cb4bd2803c51" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember_458fd323-46c9-44b9-8695-713712c9bfec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_26370158-1e71-410e-bef3-d1f495a76284" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_43ae16c3-612b-4660-9944-bfaca803e19d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_26370158-1e71-410e-bef3-d1f495a76284" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_16d63c8c-82bd-41bc-918f-1d09c5e5b2ac" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_26370158-1e71-410e-bef3-d1f495a76284" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_16d63c8c-82bd-41bc-918f-1d09c5e5b2ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_1474a4f3-1f7f-4de2-85e3-4281b2110b72" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_26370158-1e71-410e-bef3-d1f495a76284" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_1474a4f3-1f7f-4de2-85e3-4281b2110b72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ScheduleOfAssetAcquisitionTable_048a537c-e8d4-43fd-8a5a-1a35864e8494" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_bdcc8d91-5c7e-4241-85dd-3008d7bd009a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_ea062439-e983-44b0-85ba-25641889a700" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_bdcc8d91-5c7e-4241-85dd-3008d7bd009a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_541f7953-1bd8-4fd1-8ca2-81555e53712b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_bdcc8d91-5c7e-4241-85dd-3008d7bd009a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_541f7953-1bd8-4fd1-8ca2-81555e53712b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7f31205b471842bb953a2448bbaa9782_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedEntitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_4556fdba-1e33-43b6-8bd6-30fc3c39f7a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_4556fdba-1e33-43b6-8bd6-30fc3c39f7a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_9083c82e-e0c1-4625-bdcf-85e13517d2e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_9083c82e-e0c1-4625-bdcf-85e13517d2e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_92951c2e-65d7-4f10-bb64-2cc032d220fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_92951c2e-65d7-4f10-bb64-2cc032d220fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_653b6ef2-8d33-4267-8c2e-a32c8dfe2ff0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_653b6ef2-8d33-4267-8c2e-a32c8dfe2ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_ccaaf8fc-6df9-4e02-ba5b-b90e4f5b82fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_ccaaf8fc-6df9-4e02-ba5b-b90e4f5b82fc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_95a6bfb7-f4d4-4d3c-936a-478e362af776" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_95a6bfb7-f4d4-4d3c-936a-478e362af776" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNet_366ecfed-c65f-41a4-adf7-12a83bb6d7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNet_366ecfed-c65f-41a4-adf7-12a83bb6d7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_8cd37c06-e2b8-4b41-a697-63315feac769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b494c59d-1041-4b6c-adc8-afbb6bf08f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_8cd37c06-e2b8-4b41-a697-63315feac769" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_8cd37c06-e2b8-4b41-a697-63315feac769" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01dd45f5-6f64-423f-ae5f-c0f33b8a3dc5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_6a73c1ce-4987-47c0-a87d-40a061b3095b" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_6a73c1ce-4987-47c0-a87d-40a061b3095b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_73cdee61-c7f3-4165-bf3f-0c9ab3c30f6b" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_73cdee61-c7f3-4165-bf3f-0c9ab3c30f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_caee9fe6-28b3-4bae-9dd9-13eb0e15cb65" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_caee9fe6-28b3-4bae-9dd9-13eb0e15cb65" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_2e5cc9dc-e7ef-42e9-bbda-eb3bd7223083" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_2e5cc9dc-e7ef-42e9-bbda-eb3bd7223083" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember_c4457497-0e00-4149-b049-3f0e80613447" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember_c4457497-0e00-4149-b049-3f0e80613447" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_ad14d8f9-8dec-41bd-be9c-8f8a621c7dba" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_ad14d8f9-8dec-41bd-be9c-8f8a621c7dba" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember_ae364991-ee95-4e5e-85b4-f45f175039ef" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember_ae364991-ee95-4e5e-85b4-f45f175039ef" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_842578ba-8aec-4808-a330-ac69357c4263" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_842578ba-8aec-4808-a330-ac69357c4263" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_af4fe997-dd9a-43b0-85e6-04463cc8c934" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_af4fe997-dd9a-43b0-85e6-04463cc8c934" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_c1e9b04c-9d8e-4cae-a74e-87919a8cd8b0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_c1e9b04c-9d8e-4cae-a74e-87919a8cd8b0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_5a2360ce-6f82-4550-a07f-3a07e879476e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_5a2360ce-6f82-4550-a07f-3a07e879476e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_b043b6ea-03a5-41f9-b4ae-95074b837704" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_b043b6ea-03a5-41f9-b4ae-95074b837704" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember_bc04bc90-30e2-4625-9a13-7d2acb3afbbe" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_df999047-136f-4b9e-9b60-a2a3e691e64e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember_bc04bc90-30e2-4625-9a13-7d2acb3afbbe" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesAcquisitionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if0b3561beb0e42d89bccb647ce555215_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesAcquisitionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_348b0d72-d736-4d57-8be5-cdce8ff99ff2" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_348b0d72-d736-4d57-8be5-cdce8ff99ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_b5577718-4624-4a57-92c9-1462372256c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_b5577718-4624-4a57-92c9-1462372256c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_a403198e-4d9e-40e3-aafb-f15ef2cf392b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_a403198e-4d9e-40e3-aafb-f15ef2cf392b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_72dd6b72-3e06-4aa0-955a-2feb08c0a444" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_72dd6b72-3e06-4aa0-955a-2feb08c0a444" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_c26121f1-1d6c-40e1-b073-832cfc01be80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d0c23ddf-fe57-4c95-860a-d007f071b22d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_6453124a-85ca-4943-8df3-ac8afdfb516b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d0c23ddf-fe57-4c95-860a-d007f071b22d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_162086d6-dd1f-4ecf-89e2-69e93faf56d4" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d0c23ddf-fe57-4c95-860a-d007f071b22d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_162086d6-dd1f-4ecf-89e2-69e93faf56d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_192e431d-bcd7-490d-9389-cf224005c205" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d0c23ddf-fe57-4c95-860a-d007f071b22d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_192e431d-bcd7-490d-9389-cf224005c205" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_42271059-29c7-4120-b9c8-2992f494aa71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_23319512-eb32-4675-9e47-85231b1afce8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_42271059-29c7-4120-b9c8-2992f494aa71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_0a4394b7-0efb-4768-8032-dd79e6aee1d4" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_42271059-29c7-4120-b9c8-2992f494aa71" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_0a4394b7-0efb-4768-8032-dd79e6aee1d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0c75b14b-2ab1-4183-9789-176719f950f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_52c23cc3-926a-46da-8b47-a84419ca6fb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0c75b14b-2ab1-4183-9789-176719f950f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_a82ac693-f166-43bf-af5a-347cfc806ff0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0c75b14b-2ab1-4183-9789-176719f950f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_a82ac693-f166-43bf-af5a-347cfc806ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_f6079976-7747-408b-aa4a-731956251917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_1ddf8837-2d0e-473f-940c-4c0b1f131074" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_d69f64e7-6aa5-463e-9a9e-395bed0f9ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_1ddf8837-2d0e-473f-940c-4c0b1f131074" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_1e1a7bba-ca6c-4d94-85b7-7efefe7bda9e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_1ddf8837-2d0e-473f-940c-4c0b1f131074" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_1e1a7bba-ca6c-4d94-85b7-7efefe7bda9e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesUnconsolidatedEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesUnconsolidatedEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesUnconsolidatedEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id045bfa689ae4ffe9f18e2f28effc923_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesUnconsolidatedEntitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_9cb8ce3b-31aa-4b96-9ced-2d277ab78d78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_498bf7b4-7593-4d41-9bd8-3dc3496ae38d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_9cb8ce3b-31aa-4b96-9ced-2d277ab78d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_498bf7b4-7593-4d41-9bd8-3dc3496ae38d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_50eb2df6-b4b6-4581-accf-e59d9b5667f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_9cb8ce3b-31aa-4b96-9ced-2d277ab78d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_50eb2df6-b4b6-4581-accf-e59d9b5667f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_fdea921f-b835-4231-956b-4a67e9851f0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_9cb8ce3b-31aa-4b96-9ced-2d277ab78d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_fdea921f-b835-4231-956b-4a67e9851f0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_fdea921f-b835-4231-956b-4a67e9851f0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_996934d1-e8da-41a5-b11c-89080ab681c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_dbb216e2-d24d-475b-8b92-06bd40dac06e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AvenalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_dbb216e2-d24d-475b-8b92-06bd40dac06e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_8a556c77-ba17-4d97-b68a-eb7d09effb1f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DesertSunlightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_8a556c77-ba17-4d97-b68a-eb7d09effb1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember_7fd8b8a5-2fec-42a8-8a8c-bb016340b5dd" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember_7fd8b8a5-2fec-42a8-8a8c-bb016340b5dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember_76f30539-1186-45f5-81dc-71ed4664afb8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember_76f30539-1186-45f5-81dc-71ed4664afb8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SanJuanMesaMember_82530c87-2abd-4848-aed0-e97c1303010a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SanJuanMesaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_f3819bd7-0eeb-43bd-8a27-825dabda0aab" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SanJuanMesaMember_82530c87-2abd-4848-aed0-e97c1303010a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9a04a41ea4274f33add3d2ca5ea1ad26_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_e4835f82-a441-4c13-8a80-8b4777d46566" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities_60cfdf04-b49b-469b-b7a2-0052d133a5c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_e4835f82-a441-4c13-8a80-8b4777d46566" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities_60cfdf04-b49b-469b-b7a2-0052d133a5c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_d83a1ebf-0101-4299-8f22-ae9a9cd2a881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_e4835f82-a441-4c13-8a80-8b4777d46566" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_d83a1ebf-0101-4299-8f22-ae9a9cd2a881" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_d83a1ebf-0101-4299-8f22-ae9a9cd2a881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_ba88b919-75b0-45da-95ae-0387a48b85ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_aa881ff7-f267-44b5-830e-cbb65e1280df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_ba88b919-75b0-45da-95ae-0387a48b85ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2bd87276-cc77-4f82-a609-46e54539ffcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_ba88b919-75b0-45da-95ae-0387a48b85ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2bd87276-cc77-4f82-a609-46e54539ffcb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_f3a6830d-bc40-4810-b4d3-609fce77c424" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2bd87276-cc77-4f82-a609-46e54539ffcb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_f3a6830d-bc40-4810-b4d3-609fce77c424" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_c6e264d1-61bd-4ae3-9dac-238bf9ad946f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2bd87276-cc77-4f82-a609-46e54539ffcb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_c6e264d1-61bd-4ae3-9dac-238bf9ad946f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_d83a1ebf-0101-4299-8f22-ae9a9cd2a881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8383d786-d832-4b71-97d5-c71a946e6b22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_60786415-0768-4b93-a182-b36c19401c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8383d786-d832-4b71-97d5-c71a946e6b22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_f5ce2499-a029-40cd-a207-16ea07258628" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8383d786-d832-4b71-97d5-c71a946e6b22" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_f5ce2499-a029-40cd-a207-16ea07258628" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_d83a1ebf-0101-4299-8f22-ae9a9cd2a881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_df902561-6c10-42e6-9825-e10f03b45dfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_cb78b9e2-131d-4eea-a390-b453ff91c4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_df902561-6c10-42e6-9825-e10f03b45dfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_14603ca6-30c5-4365-a372-1b2c6ab62c35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_df902561-6c10-42e6-9825-e10f03b45dfd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_14603ca6-30c5-4365-a372-1b2c6ab62c35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_22ba12c1-9e35-48c5-acb7-27673d3b74a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_df902561-6c10-42e6-9825-e10f03b45dfd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_22ba12c1-9e35-48c5-acb7-27673d3b74a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i26921ac6162443d497bdd5d381da5140_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_0d086466-107a-4cc6-9569-bd772968c11e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_0d086466-107a-4cc6-9569-bd772968c11e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_d06e9e63-8ceb-47e3-85f3-a2a11dbd99a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_d06e9e63-8ceb-47e3-85f3-a2a11dbd99a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_b87e7323-0a78-44c3-a4f1-0d51aaca6f93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_b87e7323-0a78-44c3-a4f1-0d51aaca6f93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_fbbfff9d-0ccc-457f-a035-4a101f136d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_fbbfff9d-0ccc-457f-a035-4a101f136d31" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationAdditionsForLossOfNPNSException_acdfa845-754a-4d18-a45f-c2926230a3f7" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationAdditionsForLossOfNPNSException"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationAdditionsForLossOfNPNSException_acdfa845-754a-4d18-a45f-c2926230a3f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_1f4af892-39dd-4a23-8d89-d72265e2634c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e48743af-0856-473d-b02f-66d512fdf2dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_1f4af892-39dd-4a23-8d89-d72265e2634c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_e9663d48-efaa-4882-b6f8-9abfc95623f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_e53b0001-3262-4cb8-addc-cd93a1bfc5cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_e53b0001-3262-4cb8-addc-cd93a1bfc5cd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_38b3a695-4b65-4a47-9659-99ee3eccfd18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9f927a89-3286-4f42-a037-2ecb7c9085a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_38b3a695-4b65-4a47-9659-99ee3eccfd18" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_38b3a695-4b65-4a47-9659-99ee3eccfd18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1fd0b6b1-f31b-413f-af39-f73931821afa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_0616a488-3f2b-41d9-a6c2-f7b7b555325e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1fd0b6b1-f31b-413f-af39-f73931821afa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_c2ffd8b8-30a0-4380-9faf-cc56a86f7360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1fd0b6b1-f31b-413f-af39-f73931821afa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_c2ffd8b8-30a0-4380-9faf-cc56a86f7360" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_38b3a695-4b65-4a47-9659-99ee3eccfd18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1c66809f-56bc-4f2b-a57e-048f91aa5472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92254fc4-3955-4849-97ed-4e9e6ef8d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1c66809f-56bc-4f2b-a57e-048f91aa5472" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_0fd6ff48-8a7f-4ac2-a903-3c751012adc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1c66809f-56bc-4f2b-a57e-048f91aa5472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_0fd6ff48-8a7f-4ac2-a903-3c751012adc9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_2418c6f6-e544-4d1f-9c2f-0c3e8bb356dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1c66809f-56bc-4f2b-a57e-048f91aa5472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_2418c6f6-e544-4d1f-9c2f-0c3e8bb356dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_38b3a695-4b65-4a47-9659-99ee3eccfd18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_23d9f8e9-b7bb-4b47-b794-9b703242731c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_79b63943-329b-4014-a1a1-d6fac13c9a6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_23d9f8e9-b7bb-4b47-b794-9b703242731c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_23ce824f-704a-4a2c-a031-82b38285b7ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_23d9f8e9-b7bb-4b47-b794-9b703242731c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_23ce824f-704a-4a2c-a031-82b38285b7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_14466f1e-e5ba-4bc8-a6ca-3a171ece86b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_23d9f8e9-b7bb-4b47-b794-9b703242731c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_14466f1e-e5ba-4bc8-a6ca-3a171ece86b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember_072a5470-f302-4a13-8a4c-fb80196c9fb8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_23d9f8e9-b7bb-4b47-b794-9b703242731c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember_072a5470-f302-4a13-8a4c-fb80196c9fb8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i93458ac643d145799f2c66a334e4c78b_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_17aaf1a8-f989-4501-abcf-4e91a79e083d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_b2260336-2595-45a5-9dfb-d90aae1512a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_17aaf1a8-f989-4501-abcf-4e91a79e083d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_b2260336-2595-45a5-9dfb-d90aae1512a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_63162d95-c109-4162-ae64-77a0bd288264" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_17aaf1a8-f989-4501-abcf-4e91a79e083d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_63162d95-c109-4162-ae64-77a0bd288264" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNetMeasurementInput_95b17a48-de09-4c95-a2a1-78ce1d87f118" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNetMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_17aaf1a8-f989-4501-abcf-4e91a79e083d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNetMeasurementInput_95b17a48-de09-4c95-a2a1-78ce1d87f118" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_17aaf1a8-f989-4501-abcf-4e91a79e083d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3b5acbf7-23da-4429-aad1-08b7e6063b4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_66e7bbf1-4352-4426-a9e4-b5555474fc43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3b5acbf7-23da-4429-aad1-08b7e6063b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_fcb2a249-75d4-40ae-8f2b-a72d704467f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3b5acbf7-23da-4429-aad1-08b7e6063b4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_fcb2a249-75d4-40ae-8f2b-a72d704467f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_66b4b00b-01f2-484d-8964-0fa55242af4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9e300f9a-b6e3-4dd0-bf01-a16a58654558" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_66b4b00b-01f2-484d-8964-0fa55242af4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ad64c487-87af-4ad9-927a-9cd130f25392" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_66b4b00b-01f2-484d-8964-0fa55242af4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ad64c487-87af-4ad9-927a-9cd130f25392" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_676589d9-bbbf-4ada-a501-7d1f1223aaec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_3765ffcf-1317-4fd7-9f07-0d365e0e6903" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_676589d9-bbbf-4ada-a501-7d1f1223aaec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_ae320580-ba29-4c5c-b213-6c4a109e65d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_676589d9-bbbf-4ada-a501-7d1f1223aaec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_ae320580-ba29-4c5c-b213-6c4a109e65d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember_b393fc62-b04e-42d8-959b-3c3da2434e39" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_676589d9-bbbf-4ada-a501-7d1f1223aaec" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SolarRenewableEnergyCreditsAndOtherFinancialInstrumentsMember_b393fc62-b04e-42d8-959b-3c3da2434e39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_695c4bdb-875f-4547-a4b1-235f09c2a86d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b6216704-62d3-4041-94a0-01a7767858f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_695c4bdb-875f-4547-a4b1-235f09c2a86d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_456bac1a-fa54-4850-9f14-764962a13cbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_695c4bdb-875f-4547-a4b1-235f09c2a86d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_456bac1a-fa54-4850-9f14-764962a13cbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f9b5134f-4a4a-4b51-92eb-be2e403ee52c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_695c4bdb-875f-4547-a4b1-235f09c2a86d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f9b5134f-4a4a-4b51-92eb-be2e403ee52c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_3f0bcf6e-1b45-4161-859b-9719fc115427" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_WeightedAverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_695c4bdb-875f-4547-a4b1-235f09c2a86d" xlink:to="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_3f0bcf6e-1b45-4161-859b-9719fc115427" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_7af3b9b9-d77e-451d-a644-6fa5ec10a782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_e8bcdf63-3bb7-42fb-bf5a-3a1d04396335" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_7af3b9b9-d77e-451d-a644-6fa5ec10a782" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputCommodityForwardPriceMember_d3f6fe4b-d46e-4c5d-9a68-d63233966452" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputCommodityForwardPriceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_7af3b9b9-d77e-451d-a644-6fa5ec10a782" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputCommodityForwardPriceMember_d3f6fe4b-d46e-4c5d-9a68-d63233966452" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ee9bda04-75da-405c-8b87-9dd699fe8ccc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_da56c445-af88-4310-942e-ff0ed8ac6ebe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis_cad0ef0f-5cfc-455f-8879-57b459af81fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_da56c445-af88-4310-942e-ff0ed8ac6ebe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember_3c47efae-d811-4dee-b403-9432303b1474" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_da56c445-af88-4310-942e-ff0ed8ac6ebe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember_3c47efae-d811-4dee-b403-9432303b1474" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumetricUnderlyingDerivativeTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumetricUnderlyingDerivativeTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumetricUnderlyingDerivativeTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic934abb6b87641209c58ece43b46b5d6_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumetricUnderlyingDerivativeTransactionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_a7a790c5-7faf-404b-bd61-e211b539917a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountEnergyMeasure_b54fc2e7-8540-4af5-9d64-1e6922aa8232" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountEnergyMeasure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_a7a790c5-7faf-404b-bd61-e211b539917a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountEnergyMeasure_b54fc2e7-8540-4af5-9d64-1e6922aa8232" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_45567eb8-f3b4-42e2-858b-ca0df6cb5898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_a7a790c5-7faf-404b-bd61-e211b539917a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_45567eb8-f3b4-42e2-858b-ca0df6cb5898" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_67aca50f-8618-4f0c-addd-6ac8d33af755" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_a7a790c5-7faf-404b-bd61-e211b539917a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_67aca50f-8618-4f0c-addd-6ac8d33af755" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_67aca50f-8618-4f0c-addd-6ac8d33af755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_08ec1baf-97c7-473e-9198-8a957ff15be8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_60958701-7f1e-490d-8e1e-52a9ec5322e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_08ec1baf-97c7-473e-9198-8a957ff15be8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_fee109aa-700b-4bb9-a8dc-a2d520491add" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NaturalGasReservesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_08ec1baf-97c7-473e-9198-8a957ff15be8" xlink:to="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_fee109aa-700b-4bb9-a8dc-a2d520491add" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerMember_4ee89c10-f45c-4028-82a3-82609387bc48" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_08ec1baf-97c7-473e-9198-8a957ff15be8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerMember_4ee89c10-f45c-4028-82a3-82609387bc48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestMember_e4b579d5-d31d-4994-8d03-36f462b24cca" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_InterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_08ec1baf-97c7-473e-9198-8a957ff15be8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestMember_e4b579d5-d31d-4994-8d03-36f462b24cca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PositionAxis_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PositionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_67aca50f-8618-4f0c-addd-6ac8d33af755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PositionAxis_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PositionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PositionAxis_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_8cba8485-aa3b-4c9a-853e-03e6930c9e1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PositionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PositionAxis_2ca02f9f-cefa-447c-9b89-82e6511f2f10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_8cba8485-aa3b-4c9a-853e-03e6930c9e1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongMember_9f654e63-a16d-417a-ba07-3700ce4b064c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_8cba8485-aa3b-4c9a-853e-03e6930c9e1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongMember_9f654e63-a16d-417a-ba07-3700ce4b064c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortMember_e28d38d2-00b0-4871-a272-91abcca50cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PositionDomain_8cba8485-aa3b-4c9a-853e-03e6930c9e1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortMember_e28d38d2-00b0-4871-a272-91abcca50cce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i936320e8952944f4aa4583ff2785a989_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_5e81cbda-a599-4c1e-931f-8441f7c6a255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_ae2dbd6a-24f5-4135-a400-1178655a0235" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_5e81cbda-a599-4c1e-931f-8441f7c6a255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_ae2dbd6a-24f5-4135-a400-1178655a0235" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_558dcf69-d399-4df2-b965-0df5761ee7ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_5e81cbda-a599-4c1e-931f-8441f7c6a255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_558dcf69-d399-4df2-b965-0df5761ee7ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_d48c22c6-edf0-46a5-846c-04e3b3c1132d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_5e81cbda-a599-4c1e-931f-8441f7c6a255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_d48c22c6-edf0-46a5-846c-04e3b3c1132d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_d48c22c6-edf0-46a5-846c-04e3b3c1132d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_125a1eb4-9c7f-4b52-8054-48453b7556f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_af907841-de0d-483a-a1dd-38499c817c2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_125a1eb4-9c7f-4b52-8054-48453b7556f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_7698daf7-ce43-4693-b61f-4a5ec35a3fd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_125a1eb4-9c7f-4b52-8054-48453b7556f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_7698daf7-ce43-4693-b61f-4a5ec35a3fd7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_81eec483-b596-44af-980d-44d6618100b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_125a1eb4-9c7f-4b52-8054-48453b7556f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_81eec483-b596-44af-980d-44d6618100b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_d48c22c6-edf0-46a5-846c-04e3b3c1132d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_da66a525-23e7-4b16-9501-275696ef1a4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember_82e30f78-c41a-4997-bedd-2a52092c1b49" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember_82e30f78-c41a-4997-bedd-2a52092c1b49" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember_41f72645-fab9-4661-a11d-bc66d1bb0238" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember_41f72645-fab9-4661-a11d-bc66d1bb0238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember_523eaf50-ddeb-4bca-9adf-a9ccb15c800c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember_523eaf50-ddeb-4bca-9adf-a9ccb15c800c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember_c3c7be99-c4cb-456a-9cc4-917442dedc07" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e146c298-dad3-4a9d-8c26-d53b404deded" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember_c3c7be99-c4cb-456a-9cc4-917442dedc07" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesSummaryofOffsettingofDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesSummaryofOffsettingofDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesSummaryofOffsettingofDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7ec0fc822694419a9c183b651a18d2bd_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesSummaryofOffsettingofDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_348b3e30-df12-4eaf-a54d-873aed98e735" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_348b3e30-df12-4eaf-a54d-873aed98e735" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_95ae074e-fd96-44e1-a4fa-4e4f3fdd4af3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_95ae074e-fd96-44e1-a4fa-4e4f3fdd4af3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_e9960364-eb0e-4c23-8e3a-a01ebcfbff93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_e9960364-eb0e-4c23-8e3a-a01ebcfbff93" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_ad259760-6dcf-46a3-bbe4-80548924abda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_ad259760-6dcf-46a3-bbe4-80548924abda" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_11da5d58-1430-4bcb-882f-226d210cd666" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_11da5d58-1430-4bcb-882f-226d210cd666" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_cdb63550-6228-4656-9895-358634b74d0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_cdb63550-6228-4656-9895-358634b74d0f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet_0120649a-5120-4b51-a7cf-e0d661e8db97" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet_0120649a-5120-4b51-a7cf-e0d661e8db97" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_e26c6cbd-f20c-4fae-86ae-deaa679951a6" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_e26c6cbd-f20c-4fae-86ae-deaa679951a6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_ec257137-3a61-4b05-98f0-0e2c5c8ed86e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_ec257137-3a61-4b05-98f0-0e2c5c8ed86e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_6a028897-8391-4742-809c-b315b5187c80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_22376c16-8677-4f15-bff7-8f74a56948f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_6a028897-8391-4742-809c-b315b5187c80" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_6a028897-8391-4742-809c-b315b5187c80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bffbb4b0-cf53-4b7c-a11e-6742f1aa14b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_0ecbbddd-8dca-429b-9b62-f4c83bba78f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bffbb4b0-cf53-4b7c-a11e-6742f1aa14b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_5ac67fae-545f-488d-aa94-c48c653c4794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommodityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bffbb4b0-cf53-4b7c-a11e-6742f1aa14b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_5ac67fae-545f-488d-aa94-c48c653c4794" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_43d91b64-2d4c-44d0-bc5e-7d86a165bdd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_bffbb4b0-cf53-4b7c-a11e-6742f1aa14b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_43d91b64-2d4c-44d0-bc5e-7d86a165bdd9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i36a925d89ebd4ac397b61d3d92309951_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_91671a7a-c8a9-43a7-9626-b7165b146d93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_2d141e5c-fe62-4977-a26a-3b709287852f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_91671a7a-c8a9-43a7-9626-b7165b146d93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_2d141e5c-fe62-4977-a26a-3b709287852f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_20171b1b-63de-4be7-8621-6412c932e3b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_2d141e5c-fe62-4977-a26a-3b709287852f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_20171b1b-63de-4be7-8621-6412c932e3b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_d15d07a5-6ac5-4459-81bc-eaeeecd8763e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_2d141e5c-fe62-4977-a26a-3b709287852f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_d15d07a5-6ac5-4459-81bc-eaeeecd8763e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_96d24476-eda1-4850-a561-c5cee637740b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_2d141e5c-fe62-4977-a26a-3b709287852f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_96d24476-eda1-4850-a561-c5cee637740b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_edbaabf7-ae17-4705-8e1e-7fb4d9d3561a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_67c01909-b6fd-45b7-9c32-4feafc944560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_91671a7a-c8a9-43a7-9626-b7165b146d93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_67c01909-b6fd-45b7-9c32-4feafc944560" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_44ef2a17-8a64-4d0d-87c9-f9d24ce3c1b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_91671a7a-c8a9-43a7-9626-b7165b146d93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_44ef2a17-8a64-4d0d-87c9-f9d24ce3c1b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_47d72fc4-00f7-4b99-80b6-650b2a1cfbe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_91671a7a-c8a9-43a7-9626-b7165b146d93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_47d72fc4-00f7-4b99-80b6-650b2a1cfbe9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_47d72fc4-00f7-4b99-80b6-650b2a1cfbe9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_caf42d74-faa6-43de-b63d-985c5f826650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_ddfde6d0-f0db-4bb9-8ac3-2a2920ebf9eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_ddfde6d0-f0db-4bb9-8ac3-2a2920ebf9eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c8ddbc45-d959-4055-afec-710369691934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c8ddbc45-d959-4055-afec-710369691934" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_a418d2ef-3623-4da2-a8cd-78d7fee2cc53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_a418d2ef-3623-4da2-a8cd-78d7fee2cc53" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_45c7e69e-40ef-448a-ad24-fa97f3414bd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_63fc3ade-d47e-4b9b-9f16-db9e0117a90c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_45c7e69e-40ef-448a-ad24-fa97f3414bd6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactonStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactonStatementofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactonStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i46b04ad48cf2430d9b527d9807c0b3a1_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactonStatementofOperationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_ed970956-0be8-4521-963d-091353d0af34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_c04ea35e-b4de-4553-ab1c-6fba4b92a162" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_ed970956-0be8-4521-963d-091353d0af34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_c04ea35e-b4de-4553-ab1c-6fba4b92a162" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative_23dafce8-82c0-4c3b-9b28-79ee882cbf39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_ed970956-0be8-4521-963d-091353d0af34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative_23dafce8-82c0-4c3b-9b28-79ee882cbf39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_7041ffcc-b5db-4f00-a439-c3bb2f03d319" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_ed970956-0be8-4521-963d-091353d0af34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_7041ffcc-b5db-4f00-a439-c3bb2f03d319" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_7041ffcc-b5db-4f00-a439-c3bb2f03d319" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_48ccccb3-78d2-4f67-bd27-758086bc6b48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7b11aad0-06cc-4728-910e-220a8dd6c5ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_48ccccb3-78d2-4f67-bd27-758086bc6b48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_cda96cca-6815-4d22-9969-839faa43c1ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_48ccccb3-78d2-4f67-bd27-758086bc6b48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_cda96cca-6815-4d22-9969-839faa43c1ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_86338a1c-9e7e-457e-b32f-22176471e881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_48ccccb3-78d2-4f67-bd27-758086bc6b48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_86338a1c-9e7e-457e-b32f-22176471e881" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_7041ffcc-b5db-4f00-a439-c3bb2f03d319" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ebe00280-2a31-4e6c-aea4-73cb300eb43d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_78c51119-7832-4ccc-9b55-901f8c1803ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ebe00280-2a31-4e6c-aea4-73cb300eb43d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember_311683bb-d21c-4644-96e5-8e2dc7180050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ebe00280-2a31-4e6c-aea4-73cb300eb43d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember_311683bb-d21c-4644-96e5-8e2dc7180050" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#LongtermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2cdc0081fa894f30a1cd820459c6306d_LongtermDebtScheduleofDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c8a3edf0-602e-4959-aa8f-e5122cc77f26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c8a3edf0-602e-4959-aa8f-e5122cc77f26" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_9092908a-caef-45e2-89b6-c98f79095288" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_9092908a-caef-45e2-89b6-c98f79095288" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_c6cadd82-3948-46ea-8835-329d2e303b85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_c6cadd82-3948-46ea-8835-329d2e303b85" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium_4f76e171-f747-4d61-86f4-3b00864a5b67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium_4f76e171-f747-4d61-86f4-3b00864a5b67" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a5e6d656-c90a-48b2-bfd3-ee82bd727d15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a5e6d656-c90a-48b2-bfd3-ee82bd727d15" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_ac4d6742-3620-4ddf-8880-ffe529ead97f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_ac4d6742-3620-4ddf-8880-ffe529ead97f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d84e0ab-6d17-456a-acd8-dd549e9c33cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d84e0ab-6d17-456a-acd8-dd549e9c33cc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ec1bc2bb-d572-436c-9e26-b39c3baab933" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ec1bc2bb-d572-436c-9e26-b39c3baab933" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_ead13157-fb5c-4fa4-acf8-8d423fcb009f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_ead13157-fb5c-4fa4-acf8-8d423fcb009f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7547b19e-966a-4576-93f8-0481971f5f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_78211e39-0399-4cb0-a7da-4498497bbf70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_IntercompanyNoteWithClearwayEnergyIncMember_c13aa506-ac95-4720-bed1-a62348b22494" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_IntercompanyNoteWithClearwayEnergyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_IntercompanyNoteWithClearwayEnergyIncMember_c13aa506-ac95-4720-bed1-a62348b22494" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A475SeniorNotesDue2028Member_8eafa58d-fc38-43d3-933e-ec7c62a475b0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_A475SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A475SeniorNotesDue2028Member_8eafa58d-fc38-43d3-933e-ec7c62a475b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_ae31e76f-ba97-4f35-aa3b-e8b9837d2a8a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_ae31e76f-ba97-4f35-aa3b-e8b9837d2a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_68198a5d-2ce6-4815-ae8d-d9a452fa46d0" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_68198a5d-2ce6-4815-ae8d-d9a452fa46d0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_55b8d0a8-17b5-46ce-b78a-54e5d233aaa6" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_55b8d0a8-17b5-46ce-b78a-54e5d233aaa6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_6abc8a96-a45a-47da-a229-7d8e17c5d3a2" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_6abc8a96-a45a-47da-a229-7d8e17c5d3a2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_66c94d8c-d631-4f80-9cc7-75843de13c4d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member_62f4ff8c-d9de-417d-9304-2ce174012966" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member_62f4ff8c-d9de-417d-9304-2ce174012966" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member_542f76bc-9455-4aef-a343-c7f5f02c2724" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member_542f76bc-9455-4aef-a343-c7f5f02c2724" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member_da222acd-70aa-4100-8908-a388ecc94d2f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member_da222acd-70aa-4100-8908-a388ecc94d2f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaWindRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member_94cbab6a-aa1a-4a38-b4eb-05b436afb125" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AltaWindRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaWindRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member_94cbab6a-aa1a-4a38-b4eb-05b436afb125" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BorregoDue2024And2038Member_7a1c3a3f-d653-403f-9497-b53b84cc07b6" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BorregoDue2024And2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BorregoDue2024And2038Member_7a1c3a3f-d653-403f-9497-b53b84cc07b6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member_8311930d-59e0-4a79-add2-d33e90d7dc02" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member_8311930d-59e0-4a79-add2-d33e90d7dc02" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member_6ff97ca8-cd2a-4eba-92f3-adda208a613b" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member_6ff97ca8-cd2a-4eba-92f3-adda208a613b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2038Member_9440b440-fe77-4844-845a-bd2a3ba0dedc" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2038Member_9440b440-fe77-4844-845a-bd2a3ba0dedc" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member_57d130b4-c9b7-48bb-b9c4-a5765e2bcfa5" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member_57d130b4-c9b7-48bb-b9c4-a5765e2bcfa5" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember_9bb4a198-5806-4f2b-bd92-c1bf6574bf91" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember_9bb4a198-5806-4f2b-bd92-c1bf6574bf91" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member_7aa70edf-d0ce-4c38-a5da-b160e19dd7ec" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member_7aa70edf-d0ce-4c38-a5da-b160e19dd7ec" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCDue2040Member_b412f47c-8729-4ee8-9a22-26c91ac03e31" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCDue2040Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCDue2040Member_b412f47c-8729-4ee8-9a22-26c91ac03e31" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member_4424c7ff-9f3c-4fe2-ab57-16744c0019d4" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member_4424c7ff-9f3c-4fe2-ab57-16744c0019d4" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_f4693216-4b51-4a3b-a181-430a92ca3541" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_f4693216-4b51-4a3b-a181-430a92ca3541" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member_091c3955-6d2f-4bf9-8e4f-51a3f75acce8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member_091c3955-6d2f-4bf9-8e4f-51a3f75acce8" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember_0e2bb216-7f8d-4381-acc3-85da0283b503" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember_0e2bb216-7f8d-4381-acc3-85da0283b503" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MililaniIDue2022And2024Member_6c8e1da3-65be-4f79-8714-5ef2cb1a721d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MililaniIDue2022And2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MililaniIDue2022And2024Member_6c8e1da3-65be-4f79-8714-5ef2cb1a721d" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member_389fdbbe-3e8d-4975-a033-84f01795dc77" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member_389fdbbe-3e8d-4975-a033-84f01795dc77" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_068bbb93-e0ce-491f-9952-beaf2a8fd76d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_068bbb93-e0ce-491f-9952-beaf2a8fd76d" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member_0489b3c3-4be6-41e6-abe2-7f2eae78547c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member_0489b3c3-4be6-41e6-abe2-7f2eae78547c" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_fe488af2-ebf4-4ab7-8d01-85ec707d458d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_fe488af2-ebf4-4ab7-8d01-85ec707d458d" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_7272dfa1-e5e6-45e9-99c9-96cef8e2a8b2" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_7272dfa1-e5e6-45e9-99c9-96cef8e2a8b2" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member_df502959-ffa7-4a5e-ac30-f35f3bfc0b56" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member_df502959-ffa7-4a5e-ac30-f35f3bfc0b56" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member_6652022d-0046-4870-93cf-bf4c7376efc8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member_6652022d-0046-4870-93cf-bf4c7376efc8" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member_a787f929-0fe7-4c6d-b262-f88ce59e4543" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member_a787f929-0fe7-4c6d-b262-f88ce59e4543" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherDebtMember_2bb3b6ff-a8ae-4460-bc54-0827b1d865d7" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_OtherDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherDebtMember_2bb3b6ff-a8ae-4460-bc54-0827b1d865d7" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member_09b8267c-6321-49a4-9440-166f56e8c97b" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_c9d56bcb-8465-47cd-b745-aaa9a1fa6f47" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member_09b8267c-6321-49a4-9440-166f56e8c97b" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_70915713-de2c-4ab0-b9d0-4938987d60e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2e8ba57a-89a1-469b-86cc-0b30d8fff16a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_70915713-de2c-4ab0-b9d0-4938987d60e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_7d342efb-4b18-449e-a38b-c17c85876e00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_70915713-de2c-4ab0-b9d0-4938987d60e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_7d342efb-4b18-449e-a38b-c17c85876e00" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2a2e1b90-c4fe-4599-a33e-c776e6a7a618" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d41b5621-4210-40dc-bfee-d885cd24015e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2a2e1b90-c4fe-4599-a33e-c776e6a7a618" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_74aed96a-aeb1-480a-9e6e-06c45438629c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2a2e1b90-c4fe-4599-a33e-c776e6a7a618" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_74aed96a-aeb1-480a-9e6e-06c45438629c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d9506406-49f4-45bc-bb4b-4ecff6ac5b25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2a2e1b90-c4fe-4599-a33e-c776e6a7a618" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d9506406-49f4-45bc-bb4b-4ecff6ac5b25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_97be4050-8bca-40bf-a6c2-5fd8cd1b8337" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_27010bb5-3033-4866-8e9e-86a4e3aa9874" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_0dee751f-7ff9-4265-98ef-b7fb188a411b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_27010bb5-3033-4866-8e9e-86a4e3aa9874" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_31132120-6d76-4933-ad9a-57ce0b6a290c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_27010bb5-3033-4866-8e9e-86a4e3aa9874" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_31132120-6d76-4933-ad9a-57ce0b6a290c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_0175e628-4bfb-4d04-b683-f269b4a94e29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_27010bb5-3033-4866-8e9e-86a4e3aa9874" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_0175e628-4bfb-4d04-b683-f269b4a94e29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idbf32233591748feb3546fbfbbccca48_LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_3dbfcee1-ac83-4661-88f2-f39c2390bfb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_3dbfcee1-ac83-4661-88f2-f39c2390bfb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_b9b8f16d-9acf-47b7-aac0-200698efa505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_b9b8f16d-9acf-47b7-aac0-200698efa505" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_a41c4a66-bd20-4b8c-bcef-1f709270fcaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_a41c4a66-bd20-4b8c-bcef-1f709270fcaf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_1c76f4ec-e244-4531-91d5-defe861363ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_1c76f4ec-e244-4531-91d5-defe861363ce" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_8b21294b-a53c-4544-9216-aabfa67e9bcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_8b21294b-a53c-4544-9216-aabfa67e9bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_7762174a-134a-4e6e-a146-ac54bcf18fab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_7762174a-134a-4e6e-a146-ac54bcf18fab" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_b78c9271-a372-49a9-a116-baad1b066adf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_b78c9271-a372-49a9-a116-baad1b066adf" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7beeeb11-be7a-4b27-befe-4518e9cdfd69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7beeeb11-be7a-4b27-befe-4518e9cdfd69" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_fb776de4-127f-4922-bbb1-82e45203a49b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_fb776de4-127f-4922-bbb1-82e45203a49b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_2a0a7f8b-46a9-4428-b771-5d3b3f9d53b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_2a0a7f8b-46a9-4428-b771-5d3b3f9d53b1" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_8400e34f-11f7-45d5-8de3-fc09cfada169" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_8400e34f-11f7-45d5-8de3-fc09cfada169" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_9cc592ea-a3fa-4a2f-83c4-afa18c209231" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_9cc592ea-a3fa-4a2f-83c4-afa18c209231" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_b556bf8b-9067-4ffb-9d93-6801ac48162a" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_b556bf8b-9067-4ffb-9d93-6801ac48162a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_72efa920-5ddf-4723-9b97-21ae35ff3641" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_72efa920-5ddf-4723-9b97-21ae35ff3641" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_f70c45ac-b00c-4f64-a81a-175cad1b7a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a93dc10f-466b-4630-aa5a-7afdce66abda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_7109be77-35b4-4545-b9d8-0c47294323ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_7109be77-35b4-4545-b9d8-0c47294323ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_592b3a6e-fb95-42bb-9c66-a3df05db5765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_592b3a6e-fb95-42bb-9c66-a3df05db5765" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember_3ef4ac59-eb14-4fa4-bf1d-d326a168c301" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityBridgeLoanMember_3ef4ac59-eb14-4fa4-bf1d-d326a168c301" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember_795c30f7-7b75-4b5f-a61a-e128bfc8dc85" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b017cfd7-e636-456d-a0b5-90a048e06a69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SponsorEquityBridgeLoanMember_795c30f7-7b75-4b5f-a61a-e128bfc8dc85" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b87a9120-edf1-4727-9e8f-7ec47a0d3f69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_67f84a18-1505-4f6a-a602-dceb4fb41011" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_67f84a18-1505-4f6a-a602-dceb4fb41011" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_837c4165-24e3-4caf-8f0e-3081518beb84" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_837c4165-24e3-4caf-8f0e-3081518beb84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member_fa65c77d-1776-4b6c-a4ec-760e2cde762c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIILLCDue2023And2029Member_fa65c77d-1776-4b6c-a4ec-760e2cde762c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member_929e5ced-a0af-4101-b78b-d2a837d54a2d" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af0d1801-4531-4bb5-bc88-b8459ad5d0c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeDue2028TapestryWindLLCDue2031AndVientoFundingIILLCDue2023Member_929e5ced-a0af-4101-b78b-d2a837d54a2d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_b4814cfa-961b-4c9a-8e6f-4252eb299bd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1142a2cd-6c6d-42d0-964d-344dcef9c28a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_b4814cfa-961b-4c9a-8e6f-4252eb299bd7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_d6799ecd-6894-4959-bba8-3301c3f48f21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_b4814cfa-961b-4c9a-8e6f-4252eb299bd7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_d6799ecd-6894-4959-bba8-3301c3f48f21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5dcb2614-66db-41a2-8d83-0d0963f01dc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_fd3f199f-1b7d-4353-83aa-92d640304978" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5dcb2614-66db-41a2-8d83-0d0963f01dc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_a502dd44-9ceb-459b-8c13-74a33a946aa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5dcb2614-66db-41a2-8d83-0d0963f01dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_a502dd44-9ceb-459b-8c13-74a33a946aa6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_c6e31020-3cf7-489f-be0e-f2603a8012c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_22b22774-2b68-45c9-89c2-8f5c29fa797e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_c6e31020-3cf7-489f-be0e-f2603a8012c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_c3e1722c-a06c-4ac8-897d-55022d68bae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_c6e31020-3cf7-489f-be0e-f2603a8012c0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_c3e1722c-a06c-4ac8-897d-55022d68bae8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_debea861-0816-4931-ae7c-27bd6e730adb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_ad89890e-6e61-46da-8572-e1723c3ca47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_debea861-0816-4931-ae7c-27bd6e730adb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_a6a2ff8f-a7d5-4816-bd78-a15cb499b7a3" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_debea861-0816-4931-ae7c-27bd6e730adb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MililaniIDropDownMember_a6a2ff8f-a7d5-4816-bd78-a15cb499b7a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_0f2c4a2e-e744-451b-910b-c530657ecd71" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_5b293315-8961-47dd-8e72-53c2ed7c7c19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_0855defe-1369-4567-9e16-ac2c949fb7e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_5b293315-8961-47dd-8e72-53c2ed7c7c19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_35158daf-7fea-41b0-913c-1550df483ba2" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_5b293315-8961-47dd-8e72-53c2ed7c7c19" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_35158daf-7fea-41b0-913c-1550df483ba2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_cb2f09dd-c47e-49ec-911b-533f3782f72c" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_5b293315-8961-47dd-8e72-53c2ed7c7c19" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_cb2f09dd-c47e-49ec-911b-533f3782f72c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7a36756c39184f8a842dc7cc1bccbba0_SegmentReportingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_cb1e3b53-8039-4b43-887c-4bf0a8720c02" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipSold_cb1e3b53-8039-4b43-887c-4bf0a8720c02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e4213224-7b9e-4efd-8f27-6a47093456ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e4213224-7b9e-4efd-8f27-6a47093456ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_40ef495b-b377-4a8c-876e-df3ea07b22fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_40ef495b-b377-4a8c-876e-df3ea07b22fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_a6c23d20-829d-4879-a730-3461e6fb7d58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_a6c23d20-829d-4879-a730-3461e6fb7d58" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_ee931226-420a-404f-93e0-032dfb0e9620" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_ee931226-420a-404f-93e0-032dfb0e9620" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAcquisitionRelatedCosts_92b8e908-f881-4a42-bd74-3c1160ef5303" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAcquisitionRelatedCosts_92b8e908-f881-4a42-bd74-3c1160ef5303" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_f27e1d53-0d48-43bf-843f-bf3cb98e431e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_f27e1d53-0d48-43bf-843f-bf3cb98e431e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_64cc3154-2508-42c1-a971-2ed1160f9c0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_64cc3154-2508-42c1-a971-2ed1160f9c0a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_14b7e9f3-28f9-4f43-90ec-80eeb385b637" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_14b7e9f3-28f9-4f43-90ec-80eeb385b637" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_1a897f34-b5ef-4d35-a17a-00f011fedee7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_1a897f34-b5ef-4d35-a17a-00f011fedee7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_7237e2eb-2e2d-40c1-bbe6-b9f55f233c5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_7237e2eb-2e2d-40c1-bbe6-b9f55f233c5a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_777224a5-3e1a-4571-823d-e0877e42a9d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_777224a5-3e1a-4571-823d-e0877e42a9d2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_b79e5ec4-4814-413a-a3e6-f90e5213bcb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_b79e5ec4-4814-413a-a3e6-f90e5213bcb0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_ebd0b5b4-2989-49e3-8e1e-9c5a416713e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_ebd0b5b4-2989-49e3-8e1e-9c5a416713e2" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0555d655-331c-45f2-b016-26d8cfb50830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_41546349-4662-4448-91ce-c5b031279f75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_ccb7d82c-dba4-457e-a73a-a805060d975b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_41546349-4662-4448-91ce-c5b031279f75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_71e81d00-d83e-4c09-aa9f-2cf049c73939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_41546349-4662-4448-91ce-c5b031279f75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_71e81d00-d83e-4c09-aa9f-2cf049c73939" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_5cf2c8d4-c1e0-4f0e-b747-6212f91c9e08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_41546349-4662-4448-91ce-c5b031279f75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_5cf2c8d4-c1e0-4f0e-b747-6212f91c9e08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87fe2e42-5660-4f48-bf3e-802873ded16c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fb8ad1d4-8770-4e82-8d72-35f55c0516e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87fe2e42-5660-4f48-bf3e-802873ded16c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_d4b79375-81eb-47c7-9e10-ba200a76bc2e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87fe2e42-5660-4f48-bf3e-802873ded16c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_d4b79375-81eb-47c7-9e10-ba200a76bc2e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_59203e98-76a3-4e1b-9379-2de5fc481a3e" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87fe2e42-5660-4f48-bf3e-802873ded16c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_59203e98-76a3-4e1b-9379-2de5fc481a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_79ba9f8c-8592-4723-a7a8-a39bfa8255ff" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87fe2e42-5660-4f48-bf3e-802873ded16c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_79ba9f8c-8592-4723-a7a8-a39bfa8255ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f821c0ea-ee2b-4c2a-87e7-4663488cabe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2c9f09ee-a17a-4be0-8585-da7a425821c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f821c0ea-ee2b-4c2a-87e7-4663488cabe9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_8ca7db53-1d83-463d-bfa0-16b44c845f82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f821c0ea-ee2b-4c2a-87e7-4663488cabe9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_8ca7db53-1d83-463d-bfa0-16b44c845f82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0161f271-6dfd-4649-8ec9-fbd76ce3be42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_caa5c220-46c3-4fee-8c43-852ba49fb691" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0161f271-6dfd-4649-8ec9-fbd76ce3be42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_930dcb96-484c-46e1-bbf9-47e23015deb8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_0161f271-6dfd-4649-8ec9-fbd76ce3be42" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_930dcb96-484c-46e1-bbf9-47e23015deb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_51e1bc72-849c-4f97-a2c0-d4d249468098" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_d5734b9f-ca88-4e8a-8184-96e8b033a30a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_0f7746fb-dbf4-40be-b241-b3505b2cf035" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_d5734b9f-ca88-4e8a-8184-96e8b033a30a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_619c792a-1d84-4ade-8eb7-304bcecf1aad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_d5734b9f-ca88-4e8a-8184-96e8b033a30a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_619c792a-1d84-4ade-8eb7-304bcecf1aad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6be705a4a1d04965be08e529a844d759_RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_31462942-9171-4639-953c-8cd29d081d1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_31462942-9171-4639-953c-8cd29d081d1c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_933e8c5d-f844-4c82-8d7d-bae0068fab91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_933e8c5d-f844-4c82-8d7d-bae0068fab91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NumberOfWhollyOwnedSubsidiaries_06d99e62-0db8-4118-bd8c-496304ecf20f" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_NumberOfWhollyOwnedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NumberOfWhollyOwnedSubsidiaries_06d99e62-0db8-4118-bd8c-496304ecf20f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_67af3d86-81f0-4ade-8ba6-ab906984af84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_67af3d86-81f0-4ade-8ba6-ab906984af84" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_945d0c8b-6b4c-43c3-ad56-b34e3639da0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_11a57f32-9dd7-4c89-a974-9b0c8bc58a40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_945d0c8b-6b4c-43c3-ad56-b34e3639da0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_945d0c8b-6b4c-43c3-ad56-b34e3639da0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_cb0cefb3-7d23-4cea-9997-339530265806" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9f3b6a61-5456-4c2e-a187-c1c73369d5bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_cb0cefb3-7d23-4cea-9997-339530265806" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RENOMMember_99afd8b6-a2d7-4bb3-92d9-3101956b9100" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_RENOMMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_cb0cefb3-7d23-4cea-9997-339530265806" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RENOMMember_99afd8b6-a2d7-4bb3-92d9-3101956b9100" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_d78407fa-dc5f-46e3-9539-3a27f9d406f8" xlink:href="cwen-20220331.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_cb0cefb3-7d23-4cea-9997-339530265806" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_d78407fa-dc5f-46e3-9539-3a27f9d406f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_0d4c40b4-9ae3-4f1b-a1d7-67e334ba5b4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_cb0cefb3-7d23-4cea-9997-339530265806" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_0d4c40b4-9ae3-4f1b-a1d7-67e334ba5b4e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
