Document And Entity Information
us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative
Derivative, Loss on Derivative
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 - Earnings Per Share
Other Liabilities
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 9 - Segment Reporting
Note 10 - Income Taxes
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Note 13 - Leases
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details)
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization (Details)
Hedging Designation [Axis]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Dividends Paid (Details)
Hedging Designation [Domain]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Distributions Paid (Details)
us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Total current liabilities
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details)
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details)
Note 4 - Investments Accounted for By the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities - Consolidated Entities (Details)
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)
Cash receipts from notes receivable
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Carrying Amounts and Fair Values (Details)
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value Hierarchy for Long-term Debt (Details)
Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details)
Underlying Asset Class [Domain]
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)
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)
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (Parentheticals)
Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Derivative Instruments Gains and Losses (Details)
Note 7 - Long-term Debt - Long-term Debt (Details)
Underlying Asset Class [Axis]
Note 8 - Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details)
us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent
Derivative instruments
Note 8 - Earnings Per Share - Anti-Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details)
Note 9 - Segment Reporting - Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details)
Note 10 - Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision (Details)
Note 13 - Leases - Lease Expense (Details)
Note 13 - Leases - Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)
Note 13 - Leases - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (Details)
Note 13 - Leases - Revenue Related to Leases (Details)
Note 13 - Leases - Minimum Future Rent Payments (Details)
Current portion of long-term debt
Note 13 - Leases - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Related to Operating Leases (Details)
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Less current maturities
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Other comprehensive (loss) gain
Commodity Contract [Member]
cwen_CommonStockDividendsAndDistributions
Common stock dividends and distributions
Represents the amount of common stock dividends and distributions during the period.
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Mark-to-market of cash flow hedge accounting contracts
us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
Reclassified from accumulated OCL to income due to realization of previously deferred amounts
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Total Stockholders' Equity
Balances
Balances
Accumulated OCL, income tax benefit
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireLimitedPartnershipInterests
Partnership interests acquisition
Nonmonetary Notional Amount (Millions of British Thermal Unit)
Accrued interest expense
Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Credit Facility [Axis]
Credit Facility [Domain]
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Capital expenditures
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Accounts payable — trade
Current Liabilities
Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]
Total Assets
Total assets
Total Assets
Long-term debt, including current portion
Long-term debt, including current portion (a)
Net income attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc.
Net income attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc.
us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]
Operating revenue
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome
Less: Lease revenue
Lease Revenue
Deferred income taxes
us-gaap_OtherAssets
Other current and non-current assets
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]
us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
Buyout of Wind TE Holdco non-controlling interest
us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total
Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets
Less: Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]
Antidilutive Securities [Axis]
Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]
Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Accumulated depreciation
Property, Plant and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation
Net property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance
Capital contributions from tax equity investors, net of distributions, cash
Property, plant and equipment
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Long-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Long-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
Derivative liabilities
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
Derivative assets
Net loss
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss)
Derivative assets, net
Derivative Assets
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
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc. Class A and Class C Common Stockholders
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
Letter of Credit [Member]
Maximum exposure to loss
Equity investments in affiliates
Equity Method Investments
Unrealized gain on derivatives, income tax benefit
Loans Payable [Member]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Income tax (benefit) expense
Income tax benefit
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]
cwen_SaleOfBusinessPercentOfVotingInterestSold
Sale of Business, Percent of Voting Interest Sold
The percent of voting interest sold in the sale of business.
Transaction and Integration Costs [Member]
Related to transaction and integration costs.
cwen_ServicesAgreementExpense
Services Agreement, Expense
The amount of expense related to a services agreement.
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of the summarized financial information of an equity method investment.
HSD Solar Holdings, LLC [Member]
Related to HSD Solar Holdings, LLC.
Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table Text Block]
DB Energy Assets LLC [Member]
Related to DB Energy Assets LLC.
cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Property, plant and equipment, net
The amount of property, plant and equipment reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
Restricted cash
Restricted Cash, Total
General and administrative
Operating loss
The amount of operating income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.
cwen_DebtInstrumentTotalCommitment
Debt Instrument, Total Commitment
The amount of total commitment in a debt instrument.
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_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentAssetsExcludingPropertyPlantAndequipment
Non-current assets
The amount of noncurrent assets in an equity method investment, excluding property, plant and equipment.
us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest
Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest
Amendment Flag
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Clearway Energy, Inc.
City Area Code
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Changes in deferred income taxes
us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment
Loss (gain) on disposal of asset components
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
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
Balance
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Operating lease cost
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]
Purchases
Document Period End Date
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1
Weighted average remaining lease term (Year)
Entity File Number
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]
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]
Non-cash adjustment for change in tax basis of assets
us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
Total accounts receivable, net (a)
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived
Total lease payments
Variable Rate [Axis]
2023
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears
Contract amortization
Less: Contract amortization
Stock-based compensation
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedRemainderOfFiscalYear
Entity Tax Identification Number
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Registrant Name
2020
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears
2021
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears
Entity [Domain]
2022
us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears
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
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]
Less: Pre-acquisition net income of Drop Down Assets
Pre-acquisition net income of Buckthorn Solar Drop Down Asset
Pre-acquisition net income of Acquired ROFO assets.
Common Class D [Member]
Classification of common stock that has different rights than provided to Class A, B, or C shares, representing ownership interest in a corporation.
Trading Symbol
cwen_AssetsNoncurrentExcludingPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Total other assets
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets, excluding property, plant and equipment, that are expected to be realized in cash, sold or consumed after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Common Class A and C [Member]
Represents both common class A and common class C.
cwen_NetIncomeExcludingPreacquisitionIncomeOfAcquiredRofoAssets
Net Income (Loss) Excluding Pre-acquisition Net Income of Drop Down Assets
Net income excluding pre-acquisition net income of acquired ROFO assets.
cwen_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessUnderCommonControl
Acquisition of the Drop Down Assets
Amount of cash outflow to acquire business under common control.
cwen_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidAndAccruedLiabilitiesForTollingAgreements
Changes in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements
Amount of increase (decrease) in prepaid and accrued liabilities for tolling agreements.
Amortization of intangibles and out-of-market contracts
Amount of amortization expensed during the period for intangibles and out of market contracts.
Right of use asset amortization
Amount of amortization expensed during the period for operating lease right-of-use assets.
Local Phone Number
cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions
Contributions from CEG, non-cash
Amount of decrease in additional paid in capital (APIC) resulting from distributions, non cash, net of contributions.
cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts
Power Generation Capacity, MegaWatts
Amount of power generation capacity, in megawatts.
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash
Distributions from non-controlling interests, net of capital contributions, cash
Amount of decrease to noncontrolling interest from cash distributions to noncontrolling interest holders.
Clearway Energy Group LLC [Member]
Represents Clearway Energy Group LLC ("CEG").
cwen_SteamAndChilledWaterCapacityMegawattsThermalEquivalent
Steam and Chilled Water Capacity, Megawatts Thermal Equivalent
The generation capacity of the entity's thermal power generation facilities as of the balance sheet date, expressed in megawatts thermal equivalent.
Clearway Energy, Inc [Member]
Represents Clearway Energy, Inc.
Clearway Energy, LLC [Member]
Represents Clearway Energy, LLC.
Operating Funds [Member]
Represents cash restricted to fund operating expenses.
Dividends [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for dividends.
Marsh Landing [Member]
Represents marsh landing.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company [Member]
Represents Pacific Gas and Electric Company ("PG&E").
Cash Affected by Bankruptcy [Member]
Representes cash restricted due to bankruptcy proceedings.
Related Party [Axis]
Cash Distributions Reserve [Member]
Represents cash restricted for distributions.
Related Party [Domain]
Reserves [Member]
Represents cash restricted for reserves, including debt service, performance obligations and other reserves, as well as capital expenditures.
Current Debt Service Payments [Member]
Represent cash restircted for current debt service payments.
Common Class B and D [Member]
Represents common class B and common class D.
cwen_AccountsReceivableReclassifiedToNoncurrentAssets
Accounts Receivable Reclassified to Noncurrent Assets
Amount of accounts receivable reclassified to noncurrent assets.
Capacity Revenue [Member]
Represents capacity revenue.
Thermal [Member]
Represents thermal.
Renewables [Member]
Represents renewables.
Conventional Generation [Member]
Represents conventional generation.
Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities
Less: Mark-to-market for economic hedging activities
Amount of revenue from mark-to-market hedging activities.
Energy Revenue [Member]
Represents energy revenue.
Buckthorn Renewables, LLC [Member]
Represents Buckthorn Renewables, LLC.
Central CA Fuel Cell 1, LLC [Member]
Represents the Central CA Fuel Cell 1, LLC.
UPMC Thermal Project [Member]
Represents the UPMC Thermal Project.
Duquesne University District Energy System [Member]
Represents the Duquesne University District Energy System.
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Represents NRG Energy, Inc.
us-gaap_ShortTermDebtRefinancedAmount
Short-term Debt, Refinanced, Amount
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod
Power Purchase Agreement Period
Represents the period of power purchase agreement.
Term Loan [Member]
Represents term loan.
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C common stock
Related Party Transaction [Axis]
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated OCL
Property, Plant and Equipment Related to Operating Leases [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of property, plant and equipment related to operating leases.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Property, Plant and Equipment Related to Operating Leases [Member]
Represents the property, plant and equipment related to the operating leases.
Clearway Renew LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Clearway Renew LLC.
Repowering Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Repowering Partnership LLC.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_InterestExpense
Interest expense
Kawailoa Solar Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Kawailoa Solar Partnership LLC.
Kawailoa Partnership [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the Kawailoa Partnership.
Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC, due 2020 [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC, due 2020.
cwen_CommitmentToInvest
Commitment to Invest
Represents the amount that is committed to invest.
cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPayablePercent
Business Combination, Capital Contribution Payable, Percent
Represents the amount of capital contribution payable expressed as a percentage of the equity commitment.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis]
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.
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
Third Party Investor [Member]
Represents information pertaining to a third party investor.
Kawailoa Solar Project [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Kawailoa Solar Project.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Oahu Solar, Lanikuhana [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Oahu Solar, Lanikuhana.
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]
Long-term lease liabilities
Long-term lease liability - operating leases
Zephyr Oahu Partnership LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Zephyr Oahu Partnership LLC.
Oahu Solar Partnership [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the Oahu Solar Partnership.
cwen_PercentageOfCashAvailableForDistributions
Percentage of Cash Available for Distributions
Represents the percentage of the cash that is available for distributions.
Total lease liability - operating leases
Operating Lease, Liability, Total
Total lease liability
cwen_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Number of Renewal Options
The number of renewal options of the operating lease of the lessee.
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
RENOM [Member]
Represents Clearway Renewable Operation & Maintenance LLC, or RENOM.
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent
Short-term lease liability - operating leases (a)
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Oahu Solar, Waipio [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Oahu Solar, Waipio.
NRG West Coast LLC [Member]
Represents NRG West Coast, LLC.
GenConn [Member]
Represents GenConn.
Operations and Maintenance Services [Member]
Represents operations and maintenance services.
Thermal Entities [Member]
Represents Energy Center Dover LLC, Energy Center Minneapolis, Energy Center Phoenix LLC, and Energy Center Paxton LLC, or Thermal entities.
Project Debt for Utah Solar Portfolio, Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC. Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC [Member]
Represents project debt for Utah Solar Portfolio, Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC. Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, Repowering Partnership Holdco LLC [Member]
Right of use assets, net
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
Viento, Due 2023 and Kansas South, Due 2030 [Member]
Represents project debt for Viento, due 2023 and Kansas South, due 2030.
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue
Total lease payments
Managements Services [Member]
Represents management services.
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount
Less imputed interest
ESEC [Member]
Represents ESEC.
2021
The 2019 Convertible Notes [Member]
Represents the 2019 convertible notes.
2022
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization [Policy Text Block]
Project Debt for Tapestry Wind, LLC, Due 2021 [Member]
Represents project debt for Tapestry Wind LLC due in 2021.
2023
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months, net of income tax benefit of $3
Thereafter
The 2025 Senior Notes [Member]
Represents the 2025 senior notes.
Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow [Member]
The 2024 Senior Notes [Member]
Represents the 2024 senior notes.
The 2020 Convertible Notes [Member]
Represents the 2020 convertible notes.
Duquesne, Due 2059 [Member]
Represents project debt for Duquesne, due 2059.
2020
Alta Wind I - V Lease Financing Arrangements, Due 2034 and 2035 [Member]
Represents Alta Wind I - V lease financing arrangements, due 2034 and 2035.
Valuation Approach and Technique [Axis]
Alpine, Due 2022 [Member]
Represents Alpine, due 2022.
Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain]
Agua Caliente Borrower 2, Due 2038 [Member]
Represents Agua Caliente Borrower 2, due 2038.
The 2026 Senior Notes [Member]
Represents the 2026 senior notes.
El Segundo Energy Center, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents El Segundo Energy Center, due 2023.
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent
Derivative instruments
CVSR Holdco Notes, Due 2037 [Member]
Represents CVSR Holdco Notes, due 2037.
CVSR, Due 2037 [Member]
Represents CVSR, due 2037.
Buckthorn Solar, Due 2025 [Member]
Represents Buckthorn Solar, due 2025.
Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC, Due 2026 [Member]
Represents Kawailoa Solar Holdings LLC, due 2026.
Kansas South, Due 2030 [Member]
Represents Kansas South, due 2030.
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]
Laredo Ridge, Due 2028 [Member]
Represents Laredo Ridge, due 2028.
Other non-current assets
Remainder of 2019
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.
Tapestry, Due 2031 [Member]
Represents Tapestry, due 2031.
South Trent Wind, Due 2028 [Member]
Represents South Trent Wind, due 2028.
Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, Due 2026 [Member]
Represents Oahu Solar Holdings LLC, due 2026.
Marsh Landing, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents Marsh Landing, due 2023.
Project Debt, Other [Member]
Represents other project debt.
Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts
Walnut Creek, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents Walnut Creek, due 2023.
Viento, Due 2023 [Member]
Represents Viento, due 2023.
Utah Solar Portfolio, Due 2022 [Member]
Represents Utah Solar Portfolio, due 2022.
Total operating revenues
Total operating revenue
Power [Member]
Represents power.
us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
Depreciation and amortization
Other Ownership Interests Name [Axis]
South Trent Wind LLC, Due 2020 [Member]
Represents South Trent Wind LLC, due 2020.
Other Ownership Interests, Name [Domain]
Project Debt [Member]
Represents project debt.
Interest Rate Contract, 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.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Interest Rate Contract, 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.
Commodity Contract, Noncurrent [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to commodity prices, noncurrent.
Commodity Contract, Current [Member]
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to commodity prices, current.
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term
us-gaap_Depreciation
Depreciation, Total
Derivative Instruments, net
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral Net Of Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability Net Of Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset
Depreciation and amortization
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities
Fair value of gross derivative assets less fair value of gross derivative liabilities.
Losses expected to be realized from OCL during the next 12 months, income tax benefit
The estimated tax impact of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges, at the reporting date, which are expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.
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.
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Tax Equity Investors [Member]
Represents information pertaining to tax equity investors.
Buckthorn Solar Drop Down Asset [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the Buckthorn Solar drop down asset.
us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Total current assets
November 2015 Drop Down Assets [Member]
Represents information pertaining to November 2015 drop down assets.
Other Assets
Financial Institutions [Member]
Represents information pertaining to financial institutions.
Unrealized loss on derivatives, net of tax
Buckthorn Solar Portfolio, LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Buckthorn Solar Portfolio, LLC.
DGPV Holdco 1 [Member]
Represents information pertaining to DGPV Holdco 1 LLC.
Buckthorn Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Buckthorn Holdings, LLC.
us-gaap_AssetsNet
Net assets less noncontrolling interests
Four Brothers Solar, LLC [Member]
Represents Four Brothers Solar, LLC.
Unconsolidated Entities [Member]
Represents entities that are not consolidated.
cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm
Remaining Lease Term
Represents the remaining lease term.
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D common stock, $0.01 par value; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 500,000,000, Class B 500,000,000, Class C 1,000,000,000, Class D 1,000,000,000); 193,413,843 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,599,645, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 73,336,698, Class D 42,738,750) at September 30, 2019 and 193,251,396 shares issued and outstanding (Class A 34,586,250, Class B 42,738,750, Class C 73,187,646, Class D 42,738,750) at December 31, 2018
DGPV Holdco 3 [Member]
Represents information pertaining to DGPV Holdco 3.
Senior Notes [Member]
Iron Springs Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents Iron Springs Holdings, LLC.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
DGPV Holdco 2 LLC [Member]
Represents DGPV Holdco 2 LLC.
Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC [Member]
Represents Granite Mountain Holdings, LLC.
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Alta X and XI TE Holdco [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Alta X and XI TE Holdco.
Common stock shares issued (in shares)
RPV Holdco 1 LLC [Member]
Represents RPV Holdco 1 LLC.
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Spring Canyon [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Spring Canyon.
us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCMemberDistributionsPaidPerUnit
Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Paid, Per Unit
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent
Derivative instruments
Project Level Subsidiaries [Member]
Represents information pertaining to project level subsidiaries.
Statistical Measurement [Domain]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments
Cash paid for operating leases
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Weighted Average [Member]
Ownership [Domain]
Product and Service [Axis]
Nonmonetary Notional Amount (Megawatt-Hour)
Nominal energy measure used to calculate payments on a derivative instrument.
Product and Service [Domain]
Statistical Measurement [Axis]
Investment, Name [Domain]
Ownership [Axis]
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)
Investment, Name [Axis]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Inventory
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] [Default]
Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, by Distribution [Table Text Block]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Measurement Basis [Axis]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Disclosure [Table Text Block]
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]
Cumulative effect from change in accounting principle
Represents impact of adoption of accounting standards update during the period.
Noncontrolling interest
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Revenue [Policy Text Block]
Statement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable — trade
Additional paid-in capital
Operating Revenues
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Stockholders' Equity
Other income, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Total other expense, net
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Current Assets
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
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
Net (loss) income
us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
us-gaap_Liabilities
Current and non-current liabilities
Total Liabilities
Operating revenues
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Commitments and Contingencies
us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Operating Income
Operating Income (Loss)
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Prepayments and other current assets
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cost of operations
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationMinorityInterest
Noncontrolling interest
Counterparty Name [Axis]
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentLiabilities
Current liabilities
Counterparty Name [Domain]
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNoncurrentLiabilities
Non-current liabilities
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationRedeemablePreferredStock
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationCurrentAssets
Current assets
Consolidation Items [Domain]
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Derivative liabilities, net
Derivative Liabilities
Consolidation Items [Axis]
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Consolidated Entities [Axis]
Consolidated Entities [Domain]
Type of Adoption [Domain]
us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis]
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Payments of dividends and distributions
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Including Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses
Total operating costs and expenses
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Other Income (Expense)
Retained Earnings [Member]
us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax
Total revenue from contracts with customers
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the ATM
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock [Member]
Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Total debt
Long-term Debt, Total
Net (distributions) contributions from noncontrolling interests
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-term Line of Credit, Total
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Payments of debt issuance costs
us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Less net debt issuance costs
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total
Payments for long-term debt
cwen_ComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAndPreacquisitionNetIncomeTotal
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfRelatedPartyDebt
Repayments of Related Party Debt
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Less discounts
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
Dividends Per Class A Common Share (in dollars per share)
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)
Interest Expense [Member]
Security Exchange Name
Title of 12(b) Security
Long-term debt
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Income Statement Location [Domain]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability
Derivative assets
us-gaap_DueToAffiliateNoncurrent
Due to Affiliate, Noncurrent
Segments [Axis]
Segments [Domain]
Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)
us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent
Due to Affiliate
us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity
Noncontrolling interest
Antidilutive securities (in shares)
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Payments for the revolving credit facility
us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Accounts Payable, Related Parties
Input/Range
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNetMeasurementInput
Accounts payable — affiliate
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility
Statement [Table]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Earnings (Losses) per Weighted Average Class A Common Share - Diluted (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Thereafter
Weighted average number of Class C common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic and diluted (in shares)
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Total lease payments
Effective income tax rate
Business Acquisition [Axis]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
2022
Earnings (Losses) per Weighted Average Class A and Class C Common Share - Basic (in dollars per share)
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
2023
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
2020
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
2021
us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, Total
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset
Derivative liabilities
Disposal Group Name [Axis]
Disposal Group Name [Domain]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Repayments of Debt
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Offsetting Liabilities [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue
Business Combination, Acquisition of Less than 100 Percent, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value
us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent
Total non-current liabilities
us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid
us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
Other
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]
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_DividendsPayableDateDeclaredDayMonthAndYear
Dividends Payable, Date Declared
us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear
Dividends Payable, Date of Record
us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share
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
us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses
Energy Related Derivative [Member]
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, net of income tax benefit of $0, $1, $0 and $4
Class of Stock [Axis]
Class of Stock [Domain]
Total long-term debt
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
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]