Document And Entity Information
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Interest
Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 4 - Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Note 7 - Long-term Debt
Note 8 - Segment Reporting
Other Liabilities
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 10 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Note 12 - Leases
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accumulated Depreciation, Accumulated Amortization (Details)
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Distribution (Details)
Hedging Designation [Axis]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)
Hedging Designation [Domain]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)
Total current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 4 - Investments Accounted for By the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities - Consolidated Entities (Details)
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]
Note 4 - Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities - Unconsolidated Entities (Details)
Note 4 - Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities - Summarized Financial Information (Details)
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Carrying Amounts and Fair Values (Details)
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value Hierarchy for Long-term Debt (Details)
us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfNotesReceivable
Cash receipts from notes receivable
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details)
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Details)
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Net Notional Volume Buy of Open Derivative Transactions, by Type (Details)
Underlying Asset Class [Domain]
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details)
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Offsetting of Derivatives by the Counterparty Master Agreement Level (Details)
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)
Cash receipts from notes receivable
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Derivative Instruments Gains and Losses (Details)
Note 7 - Long-term Debt - Long-term Debt (Details)
Note 8 - Segment Reporting - Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details)
Note 10 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Income Statement (Details)
Note 10 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Comprehensive Income Statement (Details)
Underlying Asset Class [Axis]
Note 10 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Balance Sheet (Details)
us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired
Note 10 - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Cash Flow Statement (Details)
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent
Derivative instruments
Note 12 - Leases - Lease Cost (Details)
Note 12 - Leases - Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)
Note 12 - Leases - Future Minimum Lease Commitments Under Operating Leases (Details)
Note 12 - Leases - Revenue Related to Leases (Details)
Note 12 - Leases - Minimum Future Rent Payments Under Operating Leases (Details)
Note 12 - Leases - Property, Plant and Equipment Related to Operating Leases (Details)
us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Less current maturities
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive (loss) gain
Commodity Contract [Member]
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Reclassified from accumulated OCL to income due to realization of previously deferred amounts
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Accumulated OCL
Accumulated OCL
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireLimitedPartnershipInterests
Partnership interests acquisition
Derivative nonmonetary notional amount (Millions of British Thermal Unit)
Accounts payable — trade
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total
Credit Facility [Axis]
Credit Facility [Domain]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Capital expenditures
Current Liabilities
Total assets
Total Assets
us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Long-term debt, including current portion
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]
Operating revenue
Other current and non-current assets
Total other assets
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]
us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
Distributions to non-controlling interests, net of contributions, cash
us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total
Net Income Attributable to Clearway Energy LLC
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy LLC
Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets
us-gaap_InvestmentCompanyFinancialCommitmentToInvesteeFutureAmount
Investment Company, Financial Commitment to Investee, Future Amount
Less: (Loss) Income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Property, Plant and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation
Accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance
Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions, cash
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions, cash
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Property, plant and equipment
Derivative nonmonetary notional amount (Megawatt-Hour)
Nominal energy measure used to calculate payments on a derivative instrument.
cwen_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtExternal
Payments for long-term debt — external
The cash outflow for debt, other than related-party debt, initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.
us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
Derivative liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
Derivative assets
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss)
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss)
us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Derivative assets, Net
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Distributions paid to Clearway Energy, Inc.
Distributions paid
Represents the amount of equity impact of distributions paid during the period.
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]
(Distributions) contributions from CEG for Kawailoa, Repowering Partnerships, non-cash
Represents the equity impact of contributions received for partnerships during the period.
Derivative Instrument [Axis]
Derivative Contract [Domain]
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDerivativeAssetsAndLiabilities
Changes in derivative instruments
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNet
Changes in other working capital
us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Revenue from Related Parties
us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party
cwen_BuyoutOfNonControllingInterestEquityImpact
Buyout of non-controlling interests
Represents the equity impact of buyouts of non-controlling interests.
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
Letter of Credit [Member]
Four Brothers Solar, LLC
Equity investments in affiliates
Equity Method Investments
Loans Payable [Member]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Short-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Short-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Variable Interest Entities [Axis]
Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain]
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]
Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Transaction and Integration Costs [Member]
Represents information included in the income statement line item Transaction and Integration Costs.
cwen_TransactionServicesAgreementExpense
Transaction Services Agreement Expense
Represents information pertaining to expense from a transaction services agreement.
General and administrative
us-gaap_RestrictedCash
Restricted cash
Restricted cash
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Total
Energy Center Dover LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Energy Center Dover LLC.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Ending Balance
us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Ownership Interest
cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipInterestSold
Sale of Assets, Percentage Ownership Interest Sold
Represents the percentage ownership interest in assets sold.
cwen_SaleOfAssetsProjectsRepaidAmount
Sale of Assets, Projects Repaid, Amount
Represents the amount of the projects repaid in connection with the sale of assets.
HSD Solar Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to HSD Solar Holdings, LLC.
cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Property, plant and equipment, net
The amount of property, plant and equipment reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationOperatingIncomeLossTotal
Operating loss
The amount of operating income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of the summarized financial information of an equity method investment.
us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest
Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest
Amendment Flag
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Clearway Energy LLC
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy LLC
City Area Code
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment
Loss (gain) on disposal of asset components
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Total debt, interest rate spread
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
Total debt, interest rate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Variable lease cost
us-gaap_LeaseCost
Total lease cost
us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs
Balance
Ending balance
Weighted average discount rate
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Operating lease cost
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases
Purchases
Document Period End Date
Weighted average remaining lease term (Year)
Entity File Number
us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Total losses for the period included in earnings
Entity Emerging Growth Company
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Document Type
Loss on debt extinguishment
Adjustment for debt extinguishment
Impairment losses
Asset Impairment Charges, Total
Entity Small Business
Entity Shell Company
Document Information [Line Items]
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateralAmount
Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount
Document Information [Table]
Entity Filer Category
Debt Instrument [Axis]
Entity Current Reporting Status
Debt Instrument, Name [Domain]
Transaction and integration costs
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Variable Rate [Domain]
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
Total accounts receivable, net
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived
Total lease payments
Variable Rate [Axis]
2023
Less: Contract amortization
Contract amortization
Remainder of 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Entity Tax Identification Number
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Registrant Name
2020
2021
Entity [Domain]
2022
Legal Entity [Axis]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Maturity [Table Text Block]
Entity Address, Address Line One
Entity Address, City or Town
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code
Entity Address, State or Province
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
Accounts receivable, net - Leases
Long-term Debt [Text Block]
Local Phone Number
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
Related Party [Axis]
Related Party [Domain]
us-gaap_ShortTermDebtRefinancedAmount
Short-term Debt, Refinanced, Amount
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C Common Stock
Current portion of long-term debt — external
Represents the amount of external current debt.
Input/Range
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput
Related Party Transaction [Axis]
Common Class D [Member]
Represents Common Class D.
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Noncontrolling interest
Total Members' Equity
Total Members' Equity
Balances
Balances
Right of use asset amortization
Amount of amortization expense attributable to right-of-use asset from operating lease.
Contributed capital
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts
Represents the amount of amortization of intangibles and out of market contracts.
Retained earnings
Current portion of long-term debt — affiliate
Represents the amount of affiliate current debt.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated OCL
Operating Costs and Expenses
cwen_PaymentToAcquireBusinessUnderCommonControl
Acquisition of the Drop Down Assets
Acquisition of the Drop Down Assets
Cash outflow to acquire business under common control.
cwen_ChangeInPrepaidAndAccruedCapacityPayments
Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements
Amount of increase (decrease) in prepaid and accrued capacity payments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_InterestExpense
Interest expense
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis]
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]
Long-term lease liability - operating leases
Cash Distribution [Member]
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability
Operating Lease, Liability, Total
Total lease liability
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Short-term lease liability - operating leases
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Right of use assets, net
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue
Total lease payments
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount
Less imputed interest
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree
2021
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour
2022
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive
2023
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive
Thereafter
Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo
2020
Valuation Approach and Technique [Axis]
Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain]
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent
Derivative instruments
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]
Other non-current assets
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear
Remainder of 2019
Amortization of financing costs
us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount
Debt Conversion Description [Axis]
Total operating revenues
Operating Revenues
Debt Conversion, Name [Domain]
Contributed Capital [Member]
Represents information related to contributed capital.
us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
Depreciation and amortization
Other Ownership Interests Name [Axis]
Other Ownership Interests, Name [Domain]
Clearway Energy, LLC [Member]
Represents information related to Clearway Energy, LLC.
cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts
Power Generation Capacity, Megawatts
Represents power generation capacity in Megawatts.
CEG [Member]
Represents information related to CEG.
Clearway Energy, Inc1[Member]
Represents information related to Clearway Energy, Inc.
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term
Clearway Energy, Inc. [Member]
Represents information related to Clearway Energy, Inc.
Clearway Energy, LLC1[Member]
Represents information related to Clearway Energy, LLC.
cwen_SteamAndChilledWaterCapacityMegawattsThermalEquivalent
Steam And Chilled Water Capacity Megawatts Thermal Equivalent
Represents information related to steam and chilled water capacity megawatts thermal equivalent.
us-gaap_Depreciation
Depreciation, Total
Depreciation and amortization
PG&E [Member]
Represents information related to PG&E.
cwen_NumberOfSolarFacilities
Number of Solar Facilities
Represents information related to solar facilities.
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Total current assets
Total current assets
Other Assets
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
Thermal [Member]
Represents the Thermal segment of the company.
Capacity Revenue [Member]
Revenue generated by the sale of capacity.
Energy Revenue [Member]
Revenue generated by the sale of energy.
Lessor, Revenue [Table Text Block]
The tabular disclosure for revenue generated by leases entered into by the lessor.
Project Level Subsidiaries [Member]
Represents information related to project level subsidiaries.
Conventional Generation [Member]
Represents the Conventional Generation segment of the company.
Renewables [Member]
Represents the Renewables segment of the company.
Lessor, Operating Leases, Property Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
The tabular disclosure for property, plant and equipment related to operating leases of the lessor.
Net assets less noncontrolling interests
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]
The 2024 Senior Notes [Member]
Information pertaining to the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% unsecured senior notes due 2024, issued by Clearway Energy Operating LLC
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
The 2026 Senior Notes [Member]
Information pertaining to the $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% unsecured senior notes due 2026, issued by Clearway Energy Operating LLC
The 2025 Senior Notes [Member]
Information pertaining to the $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.750% unsecured senior notes due 2025, issued by Clearway Energy Operating LLC
Equity in earnings (losses) of consolidated affiliates
Represents the proportionate share of the parent in earnings of the consolidated subsidiaries.
Operating Funds [Member]
Represents information related to operating funds.
Clearway Energy Operating, LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Clearway Energy Operating, LLC, a subsidiary of Clearway Energy, Inc.
Subsidiaries Affected By Bankruptcy [Member]
Represents information related to subsidiaries affected by bankruptcy.
Debt Service Obligations [Member]
Represents information related to debt service obligation.
Derivative instruments
Derivative instruments
Current Debt Service Payments [Member]
Represents information related to current debt service payments.
Statistical Measurement [Domain]
Cash paid for operating leases
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization [Table Text Block]
Table disclosure of accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Distributions [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for distributions.
Weighted Average [Member]
Ownership [Domain]
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities
Represents market to market for economic hedging activities.
Product and Service [Axis]
Product and Service [Domain]
Statistical Measurement [Axis]
Other Revenue [Member]
Represents information related to other revenue.
Investment, Name [Domain]
Interest Rate Contracts, Current [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to the right to receive or pay a sum of money at a given interest rate, current.
Interest [Member]
Represents interest.
Natural Gas [Member]
Represents natural gas.
Ownership [Axis]
Power [Member]
Represents power.
Commodity Contracts, Current [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to commodity prices, current.
cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod
Power Purchase Agreement Period
Represents the period of power purchase agreement
Investment, Name [Axis]
Interest Rate Contracts, Noncurrent [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to the right to receive or pay a sum of money at a given interest rate, noncurrent.
Duquesne University District Energy System [Member]
Represents information related to Duquesne University district energy system.
Commodity Contracts, Noncurrent [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to commodity prices, noncurrent.
Operating Lease Revenue
Less: Lease revenue
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities
Fair value of gross derivative assets less fair value of gross derivative liabilities.
NRG [Member]
Represents information related to NRG.
Inventory
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] [Default]
UPMC Thermal [Member]
Represents information related to UPMC thermal.
Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, by Distribution [Table Text Block]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038 [Member]
Represents information associated with Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038.
Intercompany transactions between Clearway Energy LLC and subsidiaries
The amount of intercompany payments to, or receipts from, subsidiaries.
cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral
Total derivative instruments, Net
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral Net Of Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral
cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability Net Of Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset
Measurement Basis [Axis]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
CVSR, Due 2037 [Member]
Represents CVSR, due 2037.
Buckthorn Solar, Due 2025 [Member]
Represents Buckthorn Solar, due 2025.
Alta Wind I - V Lease Financing Arrangements, Due 2034 and 2035 [Member]
Represents Alta Wind I - V lease financing arrangements, due 2034 and 2035
Lessee, Operating Lease, Disclosure [Table Text Block]
Alpine, due 2022 [Member]
Represents Alpine, due 2022.
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]
Energy Center Minneapolis Series D, E, F, G, H Notes, Due 2025-2037 [Member]
Represents Energy Center Minneapolis Series D, E, F, G, H Notes, due 2025-2037.
El Segundo Energy Center, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023.
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Duquesne, Due 2059 [Member]
Represents Duquesne, due 2059.
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
CVSR Holdco Notes, Due 2037 [Member]
Represents CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037.
Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC, Due 2026 [Member]
Represents Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC, due 2026.
Transfer of funds under intercompany cash management arrangement
The cash inflow or outflow associated with intercompany loans for related parties.
Kansas South, Due 2030 [Member]
Represents Kansas South, due 2030.
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]
Laredo Ridge, Due 2028 [Member]
Represents Laredo Ridge, due 2028.
South Trent Wind, Due 2028 [Member]
Represents South Trent Wind, due 2028.
Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC, Due 2020 [Member]
Represents Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC, due 2020.
Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, Due 2026 [Member]
Represents Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, due 2026.
Marsh Landing, due 2023 [Member]
Represents Marsh Landing, due 2023.
Viento, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents Viento, due 2023.
cwen_PaymentsOfProceedsFromDistributions
(Payments of) proceeds from distributions
Represents the (payments of) proceeds from distributions.
Utah Solar Portfolio, Due 2022 [Member]
Represents Utah Solar Portfolio, due 2022.
Tapestry, Due 2031 [Member]
Represents Tapestry, due 2031.
Project Debt [Member]
Represents project debt.
Project Debt, Other [Member]
Represents other project debt.
Walnut Creek, due 2023 [Member]
Represents Walnut Creek, due 2023.
us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance
Oahu Solar Partnership [Member]
Represents information related to Oahu Solar partnership.
Affiliate Debt, Due 2019 [Member]
Represents affiliate debt due 2019.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Affiliate Debt, Due 2020 [Member]
Represents Affiliate Debt, Due 2020
Buckthorn Solar Drop Down Asset [Member]
Represents information related to Buckthorn Solar drown asset.
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Spring Canyon [Member]
Represents information related to Spring Canyon.
Alta Wind TE Holders [Member]
Represents information related to Alta Wind TE holders.
Assets Leased to Others [Member]
Revenue [Policy Text Block]
Kawailoa Solar Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information related to Kawailoa Solar partnership, LLC.
Statement [Line Items]
Buckthorn Renewables, LLC [Member]
Represents information related to Buckthorn Renewables, LLC.
Repowering Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information related to Repowering Partnership LLC.
Accounts receivable — trade
Four Brothers Solar, LLC [Member]
Represents Four Brothers Solar, LLC.
Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Represents entities that are not consolidated.
Buckthorn Renewables, LLC 1[Member]
Represents information related to Buckthorn Renewables, LLC.
DGPV Holdco 1 [Member]
Represents information pertaining to DGPV Holdco 1 LLC.
Operating Revenues
DGPV Holdco 3 [Member]
Represents information pertaining to DGPV Holdco 3.
Cumulative effect from change in accounting principle
Represents impact of adoption of accounting standards update during the period.
GenConn [Member]
Represents GenConn.
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Iron Springs Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents Iron Springs Holdings, LLC.
Members' Equity
DGPV Holdco 2 LLC [Member]
Represents DGPV Holdco 2 LLC.
Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC.
Viento, Due 2023 and Kansas South, Due 2030 [Member]
Represents Viento, due 2023 and Kansas South, due 2030 .
Other income, net
Distributions paid to NRG on Class B and Class D units
Distributions paid, net of contributions
Represents the adjustments to additional paid in capital during the period from distributions and return of capital, net of cash contributions.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
Total other income (expense), net
Total other expense, net
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
RPV Holdco 1 LLC [Member]
Represents RPV Holdco 1 LLC.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions
Distributions paid to Clearway Energy, Inc., non-cash
Represents the amount of adjustments to additional paid in capital during the period from non-cash distributions paid, net of contributions.
The 2019 Convertible Notes [Member]
Represents the 2019 convertible notes.
Other Income (Expense)
Current Assets
Tapestry, Due 2021 [Member]
Represents Tapestry due 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
South Trent Wind LLC, Due 2020 [Member]
Represents South Trent Wind LLC, Due 2020.
Central CA Fuel Cell 1, LLC [Member]
Represents the Central CA Fuel Cell 1, LLC.
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
NRG West Coast LLC [Member]
Represents NRG West Coast LLC.
us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at beginning of period
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at end of period
Conversion of Non-recourse Debt to Term Loan [Member]
Represents conversion of non-recourse debt to term loan.
RENOM [Member]
Represents RENOM.
Operations and Maintenance Services [Member]
Represents operations and maintenance services.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss
Net (loss) income
Thermal Entities [Member]
Represents thermal entities.
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
ESEC [Member]
Represents ESEC.
Third Party Investor [Member]
Represents information related to thirty party.
Current and non-current liabilities
Total Liabilities
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRevenue
Operating revenues
Net Cash Used in by Financing Activities
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Commitments and Contingencies
Management Services [Member]
Represents management services.
Marsh Landing [Member]
Represents Marsh Landing.
cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPercent
Business Combination, Capital Contribution, Percent
Represents the initial capital contribution expressed as a percentage of anticipated capital contributions, in the context of a business combination.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating Income
Operating Income (Loss)
Kawailoa Partnership [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the Kawailoa Partnership.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Contributions from CEG for Oahu Partnership, non-cash
Represents the amount of adjustments to additional paid in capital during the period from contributions for partnerships.
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Prepayments and other current assets
cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPayablePercent
Business Combination, Capital Contribution Payable, Percent
Represents the amount of capital contribution payable expressed as a percentage of the equity commitment.
cwen_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisValuationTechniquesImpactOfCreditReserveToFairValue
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Valuation Techniques Impact Of Credit Reserve To Fair Value
This element represents the increase (decrease) to fair value from applying a credit reserve to reflect credit risk on the valuation techniques used to measure fair value of Level 2 and 3 derivative contracts which is calculated based on credit default swaps.
Cost of operations
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationMinorityInterest
Noncontrolling interest
cwen_PercentOfDerivativeLiabilitiesUsingLevel3FairValueInputs
Percent of Derivative Liabilities Using Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
Percent of Derivative Liabilities Using Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
Tax Equity Investors [Member]
Represents information pertaining to tax equity investors.
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Counterparty Name [Axis]
Oahu Solar, Lanikuhana [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Oahu Solar, Lanikuhana.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentLiabilities
Current liabilities
Counterparty Name [Domain]
Zephyr Oahu Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Zephyr Oahu Partnership LLC.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities
Non-current liabilities
cwen_PercentageOfCashAvailableForDistributions
Percentage of Cash Available for Distributions
Represents the percentage of the cash that is available for distributions.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRedeemablePreferredStock
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
Buckthorn Solar Portfolio, LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Buckthorn Solar Portfolio, LLC.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentAssets
Current assets
Consolidation Items [Domain]
November 2015 Drop Down Assets [Member]
Represents information pertaining to November 2015 drop down assets.
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssets
Non-current assets
Financial Institutions [Member]
Represents information pertaining to financial institutions.
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Oahu Solar, Waipio [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Oahu Solar, Waipio.
Derivative Liabilities
Derivative liabilities, Net
cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm
Remaining Lease Term
Represents the remaining lease term.
Consolidation Items [Axis]
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Parent Company [Member]
Accrued interest expense
Common Class A and C [Member]
Represents information relating to Common Class A and C stock.
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Kawailoa Solar Project [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Kawailoa Solar Project.
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidated Entities [Axis]
Consolidated Entities [Domain]
Type of Adoption [Domain]
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis]
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
Disposal Group Classification [Axis]
Disposal Group Classification [Domain]
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Payments of distributions, net of contributions
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Including Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block]
Total operating costs and expenses
Total operating costs and expenses
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Revenue
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C units
Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Total debt
Long-term Debt, Total
Net contributions (distributions) to (from) noncontrolling interests
us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Senior Notes, Total
us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-term Line of Credit, Total
Wind TE Holdco [Member]
Related to Wind TE Holdco.
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Payment of debt issuance costs
us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Less net debt issuance costs
Cash Distribution Related to Subsidiary Affected by Bankruptcy [Member]
Represents distribution of cash made by the entity based on a contractual agreement with a subsidiary affected by bankruptcy
cwen_LesseeOperatingLeaseAdditionalRenewalPeriods
Lessee, Operating Lease, Additional Renewal Periods
The amount of additional lease renewals the lessee may enter into.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfRelatedPartyDebt
Repayments of Related Party Debt
Payments for long-term debt — affiliate
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Document Quarterly Report
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Document Transition Report
us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings
Short-term Debt, Total
Entity Interactive Data Current
us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared
Distributions per Class A, B, C and D unit (in dollars per share)
Interest Expense [Member]
Long-term debt — external
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt — external
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Income Statement Location [Domain]
us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash
us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability
Derivative Assets
Long-term debt — affiliate
Due to Affiliate, Noncurrent
Segments [Axis]
Segments [Domain]
us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent
Due to Affiliate
us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity
Noncontrolling interest
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Payments for the revolving credit facility
us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Accounts Payable, Related Parties
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility
Accounts payable — affiliate
Statement [Table]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Thereafter
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Total lease payments
Business Acquisition [Axis]
2022
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]
2023
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
2020
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
2021
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, Total
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
2019
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset
Derivative Liabilities
Disposal Group Name [Axis]
Disposal Group Name [Domain]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Repayments of Debt
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]
Offsetting Liabilities [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value
Total non-current liabilities
Total non-current liabilities
us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
Other
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedParties
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Other non-current liabilities
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent
Return of investment from unconsolidated affiliates
Accounts receivable — affiliate
Due from Affiliate, Current
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Derivative instruments
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableBilledForLongTermContractsOrPrograms
Accounts receivable, net - Contracts with customers
Development costs
Energy Related Derivative [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates
Net investments in unconsolidated affiliates
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Acquisitions
Common Class A [Member]
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt
Common Class B [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
Buyout of Wind TE Holdco non-controlling interest
Common Class C [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives
Class of Stock [Axis]
Class of Stock [Domain]
Total long-term debt
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross
Operating Segments [Member]
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]