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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:5963e5f3-9bca-409a-9240-059c68abf8c2,g:1359c0ae-0622-483a-a8bf-5f87da943f5f-->
<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/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended" id="i21d241d8373b4744b31eafed50555b73_Cover">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" 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_00d7f8c3-6848-49f7-8da1-1fc55b5ad308" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_00d7f8c3-6848-49f7-8da1-1fc55b5ad308" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentAnnualReport_1697cddc-7cd5-42a2-b3e9-5e52bb695812" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentAnnualReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentAnnualReport_1697cddc-7cd5-42a2-b3e9-5e52bb695812" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_1795f4ee-5232-4436-bdee-6d24941d2a08" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_1795f4ee-5232-4436-bdee-6d24941d2a08" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_025fb387-47f5-47be-8225-9b9ad4484629" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_025fb387-47f5-47be-8225-9b9ad4484629" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_508e8234-b25e-425a-bf62-944d8c4c5a66" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_508e8234-b25e-425a-bf62-944d8c4c5a66" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_1e5ae131-117b-4ac6-8741-01ba574fd07f" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_1e5ae131-117b-4ac6-8741-01ba574fd07f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_14e13834-1f04-46cf-b664-a57dfc398579" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_14e13834-1f04-46cf-b664-a57dfc398579" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_c30b21b2-12ce-4637-bd4b-d62b81e85f1d" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_c30b21b2-12ce-4637-bd4b-d62b81e85f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_5fa93034-9f1e-453c-a5b1-507d0ce84d05" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_5fa93034-9f1e-453c-a5b1-507d0ce84d05" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_38225d3f-f85d-4034-a207-02f022a7ab81" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_38225d3f-f85d-4034-a207-02f022a7ab81" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_b132497c-6e63-456b-8fe3-9828aa827c46" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_b132497c-6e63-456b-8fe3-9828aa827c46" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_72427e3c-93db-4870-a89a-a3851a82d745" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_72427e3c-93db-4870-a89a-a3851a82d745" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_655e778e-4fb7-4e94-9492-44367292e9a0" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_655e778e-4fb7-4e94-9492-44367292e9a0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5481aab1-d1eb-4cac-a5c0-4b04f905ef40" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5481aab1-d1eb-4cac-a5c0-4b04f905ef40" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_de4743bd-25eb-436b-9a82-d99f33c316c8" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_de4743bd-25eb-436b-9a82-d99f33c316c8" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_c35f1bb9-e0f8-4367-807f-5ae9b69667d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_c35f1bb9-e0f8-4367-807f-5ae9b69667d4" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_6b215712-4bc7-4403-a515-7650e68607b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_6b215712-4bc7-4403-a515-7650e68607b6" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_92ba9446-8be8-4b31-b49e-8380ea52ecbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_92ba9446-8be8-4b31-b49e-8380ea52ecbf" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer_beb24c7a-f8cc-4365-9ff4-90cb551ba09f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer_beb24c7a-f8cc-4365-9ff4-90cb551ba09f" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers_b045fd9d-1d46-473a-b73b-dcd052ba7541" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers_b045fd9d-1d46-473a-b73b-dcd052ba7541" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_ce29346e-d5ef-4f1b-ab88-2c205ec3128e" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_ce29346e-d5ef-4f1b-ab88-2c205ec3128e" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_1f22ce71-0808-4f1d-bc3f-963118802958" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_1f22ce71-0808-4f1d-bc3f-963118802958" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_9de81f2a-319a-430f-a1d4-12218e423eda" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_9de81f2a-319a-430f-a1d4-12218e423eda" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_2660b0c6-93a6-4f1b-8e39-dfbc936793b8" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_2660b0c6-93a6-4f1b-8e39-dfbc936793b8" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_f207ecaa-3a7e-49c6-a532-0bf465b84ec7" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_f207ecaa-3a7e-49c6-a532-0bf465b84ec7" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_990f073f-643c-4d8e-9e3e-c11a48b0bd00" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_990f073f-643c-4d8e-9e3e-c11a48b0bd00" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_IcfrAuditorAttestationFlag_9051f9c7-e5cf-4f85-bfaa-a57f124271eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_IcfrAuditorAttestationFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_IcfrAuditorAttestationFlag_9051f9c7-e5cf-4f85-bfaa-a57f124271eb" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityPublicFloat_d5fcf3a7-6431-4c1d-bb98-8d2d92508172" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityPublicFloat"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityPublicFloat_d5fcf3a7-6431-4c1d-bb98-8d2d92508172" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_b02dac19-850a-447d-94d9-09f8ea74b71b" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_b02dac19-850a-447d-94d9-09f8ea74b71b" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentsIncorporatedByReferenceTextBlock_87c0e432-002b-4f32-ac52-d2d6dcab02ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentsIncorporatedByReferenceTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentsIncorporatedByReferenceTextBlock_87c0e432-002b-4f32-ac52-d2d6dcab02ff" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_7f2ace13-1b21-4a21-97db-835308c86a21" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_7f2ace13-1b21-4a21-97db-835308c86a21" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_e7ba9b83-d38d-417d-af97-5778b033083f" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_e7ba9b83-d38d-417d-af97-5778b033083f" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_6d6d4093-759b-426b-b2a5-ff7e079b9ade" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_6d6d4093-759b-426b-b2a5-ff7e079b9ade" xlink:type="arc" order="32"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_fd09d946-1512-41c5-bc41-aa1502cf1318" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_fd09d946-1512-41c5-bc41-aa1502cf1318" xlink:type="arc" order="33"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_553056be-0cbc-47a0-8691-3fdc9f1874b7" 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_a36bad98-315a-43b3-ac20-09ec90d509f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_553056be-0cbc-47a0-8691-3fdc9f1874b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5" 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_553056be-0cbc-47a0-8691-3fdc9f1874b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5_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_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" 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_963c3d79-644c-4137-aec9-0e3c4414f9b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_78abaad8-a2f0-4042-b772-7a1c20f00c96" 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_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_78abaad8-a2f0-4042-b772-7a1c20f00c96" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_66ee95c9-172e-4e5e-921c-d5e34caff403" 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_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_66ee95c9-172e-4e5e-921c-d5e34caff403" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_821e8dbb-65c6-4d2d-97a7-d241d025b4e0" 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_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_821e8dbb-65c6-4d2d-97a7-d241d025b4e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_2855a25d-c569-48bd-a0f9-8a230195c1f5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_173126a1-bc2c-4f27-9775-28f746912532" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_2855a25d-c569-48bd-a0f9-8a230195c1f5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="extended" id="ib6b8137ffb0f4e3e938865a691ce652f_ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" 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_RevenuesAbstract_7d2edeae-019e-470f-bdbc-94a834a43ad8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_7d2edeae-019e-470f-bdbc-94a834a43ad8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_8ef3a590-fcb8-4684-a0f9-e39061e8439d" 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_RevenuesAbstract_7d2edeae-019e-470f-bdbc-94a834a43ad8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_8ef3a590-fcb8-4684-a0f9-e39061e8439d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_899e59a9-ae75-4c8e-b8ff-6aacf515b0f7" 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_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_899e59a9-ae75-4c8e-b8ff-6aacf515b0f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_bea08506-7fcb-4a3b-9c2a-b1d67169d6f2" 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_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_bea08506-7fcb-4a3b-9c2a-b1d67169d6f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_5d51c91d-8d86-42e7-b26e-b17e89b83f28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_5d51c91d-8d86-42e7-b26e-b17e89b83f28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_b472a05d-ae51-4a23-82e4-0c02fde86e74" 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_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_b472a05d-ae51-4a23-82e4-0c02fde86e74" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_c3b89703-a5a0-4206-8489-1bc91f13ffd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_c3b89703-a5a0-4206-8489-1bc91f13ffd5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_872a9393-1934-4445-8cad-ef27ccd9fea4" 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_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_872a9393-1934-4445-8cad-ef27ccd9fea4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_89b150e3-816e-4588-8dcf-1813572ef3bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract_c23a8b84-24df-4bea-9deb-b005ad5dd2c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_89b150e3-816e-4588-8dcf-1813572ef3bd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b33fbe04-9e85-4f5b-b80f-a8c6f621c41a" 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_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b33fbe04-9e85-4f5b-b80f-a8c6f621c41a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_64618db4-d13b-49cb-b124-a134d2e9b1d9" 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_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_64618db4-d13b-49cb-b124-a134d2e9b1d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_fc92833f-069f-4bc5-8986-3eefb258a02c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_fc92833f-069f-4bc5-8986-3eefb258a02c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_1280ead4-8f85-40b0-908e-6158633d8593" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_1280ead4-8f85-40b0-908e-6158633d8593" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_9e2d29f2-95b3-4941-83ff-9f93c20c2548" 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_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_9e2d29f2-95b3-4941-83ff-9f93c20c2548" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_eb534eea-f7fe-4cdc-a677-711509960113" 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_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_eb534eea-f7fe-4cdc-a677-711509960113" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_54d3e6d3-3551-4af5-b1d0-ca513bd9966b" 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_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_54d3e6d3-3551-4af5-b1d0-ca513bd9966b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_92238db0-c85c-4dc2-b57b-4c9877bda345" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_00cfd15a-e0d0-4ca3-b31c-8501905db1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_92238db0-c85c-4dc2-b57b-4c9877bda345" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_1a1be0a4-5754-40eb-8e03-c9ca38a078ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_1a1be0a4-5754-40eb-8e03-c9ca38a078ef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_351dd1dd-c5eb-49d9-8c88-3953ae8aa64f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_351dd1dd-c5eb-49d9-8c88-3953ae8aa64f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_64e3fd94-abee-4943-8009-2e509d3695ae" 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_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_64e3fd94-abee-4943-8009-2e509d3695ae" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_eecd0bea-0b03-4b1c-86ce-84fde222b660" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_eecd0bea-0b03-4b1c-86ce-84fde222b660" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9f601354-1223-4376-8b1b-9392c59b1990" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9f601354-1223-4376-8b1b-9392c59b1990" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_08178936-25c6-471f-af74-aa3e78075e16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_08178936-25c6-471f-af74-aa3e78075e16" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_803d3817-9eda-487a-82f0-94c0b0aeb9e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_803d3817-9eda-487a-82f0-94c0b0aeb9e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_f104a6e5-e4b8-4d6c-be96-c110b4c49d21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_f104a6e5-e4b8-4d6c-be96-c110b4c49d21" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_d07d126a-758e-411e-802c-f7c42d478611" 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_EarningsPerShareAbstract_8d92e465-bcbe-4d5a-b7b0-8bc5dce821ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_d07d126a-758e-411e-802c-f7c42d478611" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_7f8ba1db-5454-4881-8a9a-9af8b3c9488f" 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_a53304ce-00ac-434e-86e6-eff20ecad6b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_7f8ba1db-5454-4881-8a9a-9af8b3c9488f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e" 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_StatementTable_7f8ba1db-5454-4881-8a9a-9af8b3c9488f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e_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_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5cde3b7f-c372-4707-a029-f59be83581e2" 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_0a2bf1e2-31ff-4933-b668-126a0f0d3d8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5cde3b7f-c372-4707-a029-f59be83581e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_bdb6e6ab-5beb-4f96-ad1f-915475905958" 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_5cde3b7f-c372-4707-a029-f59be83581e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_bdb6e6ab-5beb-4f96-ad1f-915475905958" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_5862dc63-4313-43e9-a3f3-356f8ef9988a" 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_5cde3b7f-c372-4707-a029-f59be83581e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_5862dc63-4313-43e9-a3f3-356f8ef9988a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i25d03028a85b4dada1733851f8739551_ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" 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_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_6c48d283-d5a3-4241-800a-63ec93570a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_6c48d283-d5a3-4241-800a-63ec93570a84" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_8f203d55-7ef0-4830-a052-6530d5dc1391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_8f203d55-7ef0-4830-a052-6530d5dc1391" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_e57b9259-c13d-4011-bf30-5394a0edac04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_e57b9259-c13d-4011-bf30-5394a0edac04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_e343078f-19e5-49a2-a02b-0f7ccc24cae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_e343078f-19e5-49a2-a02b-0f7ccc24cae8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_141f483b-057e-4899-96da-9fd1f92fd95f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_141f483b-057e-4899-96da-9fd1f92fd95f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_c429cb3e-9c20-4977-9b17-94df07199b3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_c429cb3e-9c20-4977-9b17-94df07199b3e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_d58fb53d-1d2e-43b3-8438-5ef0ed6ee138" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_d58fb53d-1d2e-43b3-8438-5ef0ed6ee138" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_41cdb96d-4cae-4ea1-89c5-c50491eabfaf" 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_d676ea1b-4c68-4e46-b640-28540c88928c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_41cdb96d-4cae-4ea1-89c5-c50491eabfaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e" 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_StatementTable_41cdb96d-4cae-4ea1-89c5-c50491eabfaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e_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_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" 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_efbdb91e-aa8d-4d2a-b9b6-5c4944f0791e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4cc3fb14-f243-4a95-bb82-2cd87dc01d18" 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_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_4cc3fb14-f243-4a95-bb82-2cd87dc01d18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_02a30628-d5e5-4a27-88ba-f2ef63a3e7a6" 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_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_02a30628-d5e5-4a27-88ba-f2ef63a3e7a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_0409346e-8c9c-4725-9918-f9ee88a73fde" 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_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_0409346e-8c9c-4725-9918-f9ee88a73fde" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_5270d098-e8eb-4466-932e-c87d8fc56722" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7456ecb6-57ca-487f-9d1b-0aa39e400a55" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_5270d098-e8eb-4466-932e-c87d8fc56722" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i8f7b20edac9941fb8e9fcd875c18c6a2_ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityLineItems_6e242471-97a0-4003-a974-b5aba11e7e37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" 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_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityLineItems_6e242471-97a0-4003-a974-b5aba11e7e37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_eba7fe6b-240b-41a2-beee-8a20e9ce3dd4" 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_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_eba7fe6b-240b-41a2-beee-8a20e9ce3dd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_19658d42-6e94-4bef-9978-b18e93b6c11c" 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_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_19658d42-6e94-4bef-9978-b18e93b6c11c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments_72b34cc7-4bd9-443a-a447-4321900770ca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestIncludingRoundingAdjustments_72b34cc7-4bd9-443a-a447-4321900770ca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_b8c31a46-6f12-4123-8adb-83c20a98862d" 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_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_b8c31a46-6f12-4123-8adb-83c20a98862d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_37f32075-a766-4026-863d-93b2235fe71d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_37f32075-a766-4026-863d-93b2235fe71d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest_53aaf64b-7403-49ac-814d-09905319f7af" 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_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest_53aaf64b-7403-49ac-814d-09905319f7af" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_b3c6f1f3-669c-431e-8940-d2fe1cb7d5dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_b3c6f1f3-669c-431e-8940-d2fe1cb7d5dd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_cda48964-9e37-4533-aa54-fc7f551ab436" 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_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_cda48964-9e37-4533-aa54-fc7f551ab436" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1_36bf8d9a-0488-4d3d-b1ed-bc7727e96c7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1_36bf8d9a-0488-4d3d-b1ed-bc7727e96c7d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash_aed49f30-2e30-491b-a243-78b2746ecce7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersCash_aed49f30-2e30-491b-a243-78b2746ecce7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNoncash_2b0212aa-da60-4eab-aae5-356c251f7dc3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNoncash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestDecreasefromDistributionstoNoncontrollingInterestHoldersNoncash_2b0212aa-da60-4eab-aae5-356c251f7dc3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConsolidatedEntityInvestmentGuarantee_d91765f9-e025-463a-bdcf-02f719793341" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConsolidatedEntityInvestmentGuarantee"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConsolidatedEntityInvestmentGuarantee_d91765f9-e025-463a-bdcf-02f719793341" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_01ec5a73-54e8-484f-871b-0118ca2e89c8" 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_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_01ec5a73-54e8-484f-871b-0118ca2e89c8" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_bc5b2650-b043-4369-b4ff-2f22cfdaa69f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_bc5b2650-b043-4369-b4ff-2f22cfdaa69f" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01c43313-11cd-4026-bdbe-73b6c2ca8845" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01c43313-11cd-4026-bdbe-73b6c2ca8845" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_7cdf7981-ef9c-4638-bb2e-9a0e899d22ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_7cdf7981-ef9c-4638-bb2e-9a0e899d22ec" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_356ee48e-227f-43e0-a650-e884d27af4f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_629c959a-8006-4c19-be01-d2feb29796d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_356ee48e-227f-43e0-a650-e884d27af4f1" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_85bf71bd-12c2-49b8-aa2f-f344b81b235e" 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_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityLineItems_6e242471-97a0-4003-a974-b5aba11e7e37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba" 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_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba_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_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" 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_958dd179-68ce-4928-8f3c-8a4259da41ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_0d1a64b7-1e17-49bf-b4fe-1e6e7087a5bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_0d1a64b7-1e17-49bf-b4fe-1e6e7087a5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_55029ea6-d405-4306-afdd-5265c139df08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_55029ea6-d405-4306-afdd-5265c139df08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_6efa4403-92a7-4f58-9711-a422f93f8b5f" 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_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_6efa4403-92a7-4f58-9711-a422f93f8b5f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_d1fb7584-cc38-4bb4-904c-b9dd72febf9a" 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_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_d1fb7584-cc38-4bb4-904c-b9dd72febf9a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2d704baa-5b4b-4a3d-a7b4-abdec772a354" 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_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2d704baa-5b4b-4a3d-a7b4-abdec772a354" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_fc0f98e3-c354-4337-8626-ec4de4f7f644" 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_3cd9c777-c89b-46a3-bea0-19bd5aaea030" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_fc0f98e3-c354-4337-8626-ec4de4f7f644" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace" 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_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace_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_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f480e7f3-a2b8-488b-95f2-2ea19ba01c95" 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_05e53943-b2a2-4e28-9b3a-29fbb640aace" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f480e7f3-a2b8-488b-95f2-2ea19ba01c95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_1dcedde4-5d9e-4ae6-9705-42da62e7e801" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f480e7f3-a2b8-488b-95f2-2ea19ba01c95" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_1dcedde4-5d9e-4ae6-9705-42da62e7e801" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_ab719a3d-39fb-49a0-a149-1e617c26807d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f480e7f3-a2b8-488b-95f2-2ea19ba01c95" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_ab719a3d-39fb-49a0-a149-1e617c26807d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53" 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_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53_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_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" 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_0978c085-4f19-4eef-9e43-843f7d05fb53" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_6420049a-4f02-4bd6-a573-c8875fdb7447" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_6420049a-4f02-4bd6-a573-c8875fdb7447" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_4d7ec5e7-2324-4ae1-b68e-d4024a5fb263" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_4d7ec5e7-2324-4ae1-b68e-d4024a5fb263" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordMember_62558fec-d4e8-4a95-aa19-59ba32842164" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordMember_62558fec-d4e8-4a95-aa19-59ba32842164" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_51f818c4-8a8f-4c97-b20f-dfbc5cc60659" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosamondCentralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_51f818c4-8a8f-4c97-b20f-dfbc5cc60659" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_51c4d0e7-658a-41ae-a539-a51110f54cbc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_51c4d0e7-658a-41ae-a539-a51110f54cbc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember_af2f5bdd-600a-4771-812a-b13e64e812e8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AquaAcquisitionMember_af2f5bdd-600a-4771-812a-b13e64e812e8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_04b764a1-bc5a-4887-8cba-7952235c3cb3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_04b764a1-bc5a-4887-8cba-7952235c3cb3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_85acfb67-1057-4afe-ae5e-67c2527aa1c8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa8900bf-6268-450b-81fe-8b3a17a951bc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_85acfb67-1057-4afe-ae5e-67c2527aa1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalizationEquityTable_162e37ed-c64c-40c3-acfb-38cd251613c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_86c2ed35-ea44-4080-ac6a-f6c595110867" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_22cfc86c-cf13-4881-81cf-49d107a47209" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_86c2ed35-ea44-4080-ac6a-f6c595110867" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_7b3271a8-4ef3-410f-8968-b44d7c618a04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_86c2ed35-ea44-4080-ac6a-f6c595110867" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_7b3271a8-4ef3-410f-8968-b44d7c618a04" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/NatureofBusinessNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#NatureofBusinessNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/NatureofBusinessNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia6fc7970fd874e7dbefa3c0527074b62_NatureofBusinessNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_bf9d6b5e-8ea9-4b5c-b8df-af96dacd07da" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_bf9d6b5e-8ea9-4b5c-b8df-af96dacd07da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_6677dbe5-864a-4de6-922e-51ae7062ca99" 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_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_6677dbe5-864a-4de6-922e-51ae7062ca99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest_03560c9b-159f-4bc7-8c49-af671d3b8835" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCorLimitedPartnershipLPMembersorLimitedPartnersVotingInterest_03560c9b-159f-4bc7-8c49-af671d3b8835" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_0cfcc1dc-b6a0-4728-823f-f02693c6085e" 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_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_0cfcc1dc-b6a0-4728-823f-f02693c6085e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_779e3476-9f08-4d31-af59-7781f806cfc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd" 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_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd_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_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" 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_6f02543e-750a-4012-8e54-733a203f48dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_8225026a-f49d-428b-9668-541d1ac6dc62" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_8225026a-f49d-428b-9668-541d1ac6dc62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GIPMember_07473eff-7338-456f-96fe-1df99862082f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_GIPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GIPMember_07473eff-7338-456f-96fe-1df99862082f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_7368df77-8302-45fc-9a73-8f34bef004eb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_7368df77-8302-45fc-9a73-8f34bef004eb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ShareholdersMember_a6837f3d-4467-4ab5-be59-c841d376c305" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ShareholdersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_11855c2b-401e-41f8-8bee-94e562e8813a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ShareholdersMember_a6837f3d-4467-4ab5-be59-c841d376c305" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_7298a80e-2cb5-49fc-8272-06865aa917e9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_e6616dbf-0831-45e0-93d2-933a401c54e8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_7298a80e-2cb5-49fc-8272-06865aa917e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_cd539bfd-0647-4058-aa59-90754abf536f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_7298a80e-2cb5-49fc-8272-06865aa917e9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_cd539bfd-0647-4058-aa59-90754abf536f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember_e7f28ac1-3fc0-46d9-b87b-bace103c2905" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_7298a80e-2cb5-49fc-8272-06865aa917e9" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GenerationalFacilitiesAndDistrictEnergySystemsMember_e7f28ac1-3fc0-46d9-b87b-bace103c2905" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aa311317-04a7-48eb-9933-1335b37658ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aac7d4ca-d46f-426b-b6a3-ac8d95a54833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aa311317-04a7-48eb-9933-1335b37658ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_db0d43fb-12e7-4163-8646-e34a8a6c1b4f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aa311317-04a7-48eb-9933-1335b37658ac" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_db0d43fb-12e7-4163-8646-e34a8a6c1b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_80df6b55-50ab-4862-ade6-7e3a4c42b28e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aa311317-04a7-48eb-9933-1335b37658ac" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_80df6b55-50ab-4862-ade6-7e3a4c42b28e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be_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_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_475489c9-f996-4071-b19a-28ede6595bb1" 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_6f4e4283-9e05-4c3e-9253-edc4ca42b7be" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_475489c9-f996-4071-b19a-28ede6595bb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_a8b9d567-3a62-407a-8204-e8f8582b604a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_475489c9-f996-4071-b19a-28ede6595bb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_a8b9d567-3a62-407a-8204-e8f8582b604a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_b5fd01fb-40e8-4f94-92aa-ba1436048b4d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_475489c9-f996-4071-b19a-28ede6595bb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_b5fd01fb-40e8-4f94-92aa-ba1436048b4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5_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_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34e85259-cffc-4b49-ae23-011c7555e11b" 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_dc28a921-2589-4778-a8ec-a7ad6c8e89f5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34e85259-cffc-4b49-ae23-011c7555e11b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_4d9e916a-8bb1-4bc1-b55b-e28571c85ee4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34e85259-cffc-4b49-ae23-011c7555e11b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_4d9e916a-8bb1-4bc1-b55b-e28571c85ee4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef" 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_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef_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_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2af9039c-596d-4ef2-8b57-0de4fdf0168c" 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_18e3c82e-fbfd-4a65-82d7-146784e244ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2af9039c-596d-4ef2-8b57-0de4fdf0168c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_512d8d36-4e40-41ae-9788-735038279172" 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_2af9039c-596d-4ef2-8b57-0de4fdf0168c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_512d8d36-4e40-41ae-9788-735038279172" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144" 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_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_ae3e250b-b724-4de6-adfe-8106d2ba92ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144_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_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ac12ad9e-17f8-490e-96d5-70996a8d80fb" 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_fed7eff0-1f53-4513-8e9e-c6b8c8f1b144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ac12ad9e-17f8-490e-96d5-70996a8d80fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_ad3df0af-3d91-45c6-bf04-6b63aec6cb3f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ac12ad9e-17f8-490e-96d5-70996a8d80fb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_ad3df0af-3d91-45c6-bf04-6b63aec6cb3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2164d013b0d244508dd95bc69e3ac66b_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_a5716746-c05a-48e0-8975-061490d9eaba" 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_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_a5716746-c05a-48e0-8975-061490d9eaba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_b898437f-9a2b-4658-a131-43b629d0e263" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_b898437f-9a2b-4658-a131-43b629d0e263" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable_8d1f1088-14a5-47c9-9950-b943dbe1f063" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RefundableTaxCreditReceivable_8d1f1088-14a5-47c9-9950-b943dbe1f063" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized_33ad370e-a4ad-414b-b1fa-71dbe73c82df" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementRefundableTaxCreditAggregateAmountUtilized_33ad370e-a4ad-414b-b1fa-71dbe73c82df" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_00f4c2de-0aa6-4215-91ea-50b1618cf4e9" 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_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_00f4c2de-0aa6-4215-91ea-50b1618cf4e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7aec32f4-8aa6-4dd1-b628-51fbb6a4a3d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7aec32f4-8aa6-4dd1-b628-51fbb6a4a3d2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_IncomeTaxesThresholdPercentage_b6a7b903-89c0-4b1a-9f62-05a62ba7c076" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_IncomeTaxesThresholdPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_IncomeTaxesThresholdPercentage_b6a7b903-89c0-4b1a-9f62-05a62ba7c076" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_200bd043-fabc-43db-b4de-6b2162a9e6ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40" 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_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40_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_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_bdc29530-d9b6-4924-91df-26d034863220" 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_7a073ab9-0d0f-44ba-89ab-56ffdbd4fa40" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_bdc29530-d9b6-4924-91df-26d034863220" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelSubsidiariesMember_6091f0cc-bb23-4cba-aafc-d63def564c4e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ProjectLevelSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_bdc29530-d9b6-4924-91df-26d034863220" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelSubsidiariesMember_6091f0cc-bb23-4cba-aafc-d63def564c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c57bb2c9-ab2d-4c36-9422-c1bf8384ac96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_c224f9da-871e-44ff-b4ec-0a9de90d049c" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c57bb2c9-ab2d-4c36-9422-c1bf8384ac96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_08d091ea-15c0-4392-9d59-ded4df6ea9a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_c57bb2c9-ab2d-4c36-9422-c1bf8384ac96" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_08d091ea-15c0-4392-9d59-ded4df6ea9a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f" 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_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f_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_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_be88d68b-9674-4cb3-aa64-b19acb4fdfcb" 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_63534ee5-6977-4df2-a3e5-3d47ce5f1f7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_be88d68b-9674-4cb3-aa64-b19acb4fdfcb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OperatingFundsMember_41cf056a-90bb-49d4-834f-7ad6d3eca04a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OperatingFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_be88d68b-9674-4cb3-aa64-b19acb4fdfcb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OperatingFundsMember_41cf056a-90bb-49d4-834f-7ad6d3eca04a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PurposeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PurposeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_ae1b5640-b224-49dd-a8c5-3ed011033701" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PurposeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeAxis_5d8f71c2-8fd2-4f5d-9b2e-ffd2647d5aff" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_ae1b5640-b224-49dd-a8c5-3ed011033701" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember_c093a9d1-4431-432b-a2b5-d87050831204" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_ae1b5640-b224-49dd-a8c5-3ed011033701" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LongTermDebtCurrentMember_c093a9d1-4431-432b-a2b5-d87050831204" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember_4ae31464-a32c-4398-bfed-9ed31a2b07c8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PurposeDomain_ae1b5640-b224-49dd-a8c5-3ed011033701" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtServiceObligationsMember_4ae31464-a32c-4398-bfed-9ed31a2b07c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_85f8033b-fc58-4755-bd04-ffee8dea4169" 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_ae1b5640-b224-49dd-a8c5-3ed011033701" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_85f8033b-fc58-4755-bd04-ffee8dea4169" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246" 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_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246_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_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_65d3420a-f4fd-4ee6-b2cd-ee4b5207548a" 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_e808cc59-c9ca-4936-9dc2-c7b392d4a246" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_65d3420a-f4fd-4ee6-b2cd-ee4b5207548a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_833b0a55-e76a-42cf-9366-33c1b0bc8d18" 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_65d3420a-f4fd-4ee6-b2cd-ee4b5207548a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_833b0a55-e76a-42cf-9366-33c1b0bc8d18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1" 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_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1_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_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2523529-c748-4965-aeef-07482ffc0c7b" 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_998af93a-4926-4b21-a971-0a76d9b560c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2523529-c748-4965-aeef-07482ffc0c7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_ef413e73-5813-4ac6-a3ed-3b8bcdd1d1ca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2523529-c748-4965-aeef-07482ffc0c7b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_ef413e73-5813-4ac6-a3ed-3b8bcdd1d1ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_f49678ad-e3df-49a6-b757-a5e394646301" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2523529-c748-4965-aeef-07482ffc0c7b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_f49678ad-e3df-49a6-b757-a5e394646301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_c2c0138c-0bb9-4681-acb3-e1da77cb8c46" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2523529-c748-4965-aeef-07482ffc0c7b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_c2c0138c-0bb9-4681-acb3-e1da77cb8c46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf" 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_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf_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_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_8c44bc9d-8cf6-483c-983e-b19ab68b0bbe" 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_fa63034e-d4b2-4438-8f80-778621926fbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_8c44bc9d-8cf6-483c-983e-b19ab68b0bbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_f304dfd5-369f-4489-8c47-654cac6f736a" 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_8c44bc9d-8cf6-483c-983e-b19ab68b0bbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_f304dfd5-369f-4489-8c47-654cac6f736a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78" 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_cwen_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_3bac4000-1eca-4b58-ace0-f11a33c534f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78_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_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_8e44731f-50af-48b9-8510-d6caeac30e03" 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_07acc790-d475-4a85-b72d-8f34d7c36c78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_8e44731f-50af-48b9-8510-d6caeac30e03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_366ed8bf-206f-47e6-8066-f629ac374062" 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_8e44731f-50af-48b9-8510-d6caeac30e03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_366ed8bf-206f-47e6-8066-f629ac374062" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5d88321915c242bdb0a807c18e13cbe2_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" 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_ad05e766-29cc-4f05-9793-ae244b006da6" 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_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_ad05e766-29cc-4f05-9793-ae244b006da6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_748f6f40-7f8f-4cfb-8b77-49a21737c2e7" 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_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_748f6f40-7f8f-4cfb-8b77-49a21737c2e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities_b93cb22b-ca83-4019-aef1-7fe184ae0503" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RevenueMarktomarketHedgingActivities_b93cb22b-ca83-4019-aef1-7fe184ae0503" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_003ce4ae-d93e-428d-b519-5a3d15ef1e7d" 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_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_003ce4ae-d93e-428d-b519-5a3d15ef1e7d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_a73a4e7b-bf14-46a3-8ef1-077b7a62ad93" 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_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_a73a4e7b-bf14-46a3-8ef1-077b7a62ad93" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9a7f3c26-afbb-4c27-94fb-0ef764ec0263" 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_25f2cadb-8aec-465f-be4a-03a7fc55af69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9a7f3c26-afbb-4c27-94fb-0ef764ec0263" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b" 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_9a7f3c26-afbb-4c27-94fb-0ef764ec0263" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b_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_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3318cf6e-5c9b-4edd-af13-e52abc8470dc" 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_87e045c1-3f13-4046-b37d-3478c4f5337b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3318cf6e-5c9b-4edd-af13-e52abc8470dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_de75b56e-07cd-4b00-826f-411ece4708b1" 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_3318cf6e-5c9b-4edd-af13-e52abc8470dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_de75b56e-07cd-4b00-826f-411ece4708b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060" 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_9a7f3c26-afbb-4c27-94fb-0ef764ec0263" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060_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_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_792b7572-e3ce-4982-8049-87148c468ad7" 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_c3edea2c-ad54-4693-ba27-f96901bbe060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_792b7572-e3ce-4982-8049-87148c468ad7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_87ef74e3-b311-4391-833e-522704c79a2a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_792b7572-e3ce-4982-8049-87148c468ad7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_87ef74e3-b311-4391-833e-522704c79a2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_c65e0188-b4b4-4567-9e22-7780d6579fa8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_792b7572-e3ce-4982-8049-87148c468ad7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_c65e0188-b4b4-4567-9e22-7780d6579fa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_f7b417f4-798f-42bd-a0f0-a78dac929133" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_792b7572-e3ce-4982-8049-87148c468ad7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_f7b417f4-798f-42bd-a0f0-a78dac929133" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c" 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_9a7f3c26-afbb-4c27-94fb-0ef764ec0263" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c_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_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_fc516563-bf5f-459f-b301-663f512f5bfb" 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_ace633d0-d640-459f-b86c-8cb4ab27b91c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_fc516563-bf5f-459f-b301-663f512f5bfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_864a5955-f87c-4d7c-8532-48d6a2201fd9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EnergyRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_fc516563-bf5f-459f-b301-663f512f5bfb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_864a5955-f87c-4d7c-8532-48d6a2201fd9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_b4d05229-5c46-4fb6-a5b3-32e201ff7660" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CapacityRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_fc516563-bf5f-459f-b301-663f512f5bfb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_b4d05229-5c46-4fb6-a5b3-32e201ff7660" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember_aa14ddc2-38aa-4dea-8577-4c6185458702" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_fc516563-bf5f-459f-b301-663f512f5bfb" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProductsAndServicesOtherMember_aa14ddc2-38aa-4dea-8577-4c6185458702" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractBalancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractBalancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractBalancesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie9f19826691e4c1d9e96c02c4fcf5c8d_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractBalancesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_45804794-e961-4930-bb7e-6eac2a4f70f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_de817599-6f26-4f5f-b795-23adce3d6773" 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_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_45804794-e961-4930-bb7e-6eac2a4f70f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_de817599-6f26-4f5f-b795-23adce3d6773" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e2eae4c1-3aad-4c10-95dc-282bf7ca8cc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_45804794-e961-4930-bb7e-6eac2a4f70f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e2eae4c1-3aad-4c10-95dc-282bf7ca8cc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d" 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_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_e2eae4c1-3aad-4c10-95dc-282bf7ca8cc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d_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_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_f7137c15-7ec1-436c-95eb-150f7fe4ad9e" 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_f94e96f3-a552-48bf-a799-ae969f7f131d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_f7137c15-7ec1-436c-95eb-150f7fe4ad9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_7340a1cb-44e8-48d2-b0b3-3cadc76f5756" 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_f7137c15-7ec1-436c-95eb-150f7fe4ad9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_7340a1cb-44e8-48d2-b0b3-3cadc76f5756" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAgreementsMember_1da558fd-5320-439b-a509-9d05600eb079" 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_f7137c15-7ec1-436c-95eb-150f7fe4ad9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAgreementsMember_1da558fd-5320-439b-a509-9d05600eb079" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AcquisitionsandDispositionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia9c7883af7434e5990fb91f73fd707b6_AcquisitionsandDispositionsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_b37da33a-17cc-4fbd-97e3-c5d10dade79f" 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_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_b37da33a-17cc-4fbd-97e3-c5d10dade79f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_caf30832-d986-48c7-9eb3-5e55f76b7293" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_caf30832-d986-48c7-9eb3-5e55f76b7293" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_091a77aa-99ee-4fe2-a746-d3030fdcac5d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_091a77aa-99ee-4fe2-a746-d3030fdcac5d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_45d53676-0a9f-4d06-9315-52ac5a89656f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_45d53676-0a9f-4d06-9315-52ac5a89656f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_db134f64-bd69-48ba-ae11-cfd62ff65dac" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_db134f64-bd69-48ba-ae11-cfd62ff65dac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionPercentageEquityInterestsAcquired_4f879fb6-4e30-452d-be00-0041e39cc837" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionPercentageEquityInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionPercentageEquityInterestsAcquired_4f879fb6-4e30-452d-be00-0041e39cc837" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetOfPurchasePriceAdjustments_3386d98f-5018-4759-8bfc-cf9a34fb146f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetOfPurchasePriceAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetOfPurchasePriceAdjustments_3386d98f-5018-4759-8bfc-cf9a34fb146f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionPurchasePriceAdjustmentsAmount_37d2dd12-180a-4903-b90b-97e43afebb1b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionPurchasePriceAdjustmentsAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionPurchasePriceAdjustmentsAmount_37d2dd12-180a-4903-b90b-97e43afebb1b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NumberOfUtilityScaleSolarFarms_8d0777ac-04c4-4270-bef0-5e19f126ba97" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NumberOfUtilityScaleSolarFarms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NumberOfUtilityScaleSolarFarms_8d0777ac-04c4-4270-bef0-5e19f126ba97" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseRemainingAgreementPeriod_7b5ac791-3dd0-481a-80cc-1cb409a4307a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseRemainingAgreementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseRemainingAgreementPeriod_7b5ac791-3dd0-481a-80cc-1cb409a4307a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest_4a410e0c-cb8e-4830-a4b8-30a9bbec4f6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest_4a410e0c-cb8e-4830-a4b8-30a9bbec4f6f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition_f25ab769-d12c-4cf0-befe-e7bc113a8967" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition_f25ab769-d12c-4cf0-befe-e7bc113a8967" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsToAcquireAssetNetOfCashAcquiredAndPurchasePriceAdjustments_18384a18-0d02-411b-a278-642ebf9f6c25" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PaymentsToAcquireAssetNetOfCashAcquiredAndPurchasePriceAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsToAcquireAssetNetOfCashAcquiredAndPurchasePriceAdjustments_18384a18-0d02-411b-a278-642ebf9f6c25" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationGross_d30ebbd8-0845-41aa-8d8f-b39fd24b8b07" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationGross_d30ebbd8-0845-41aa-8d8f-b39fd24b8b07" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndPurchasePriceAdjustments_45d381d2-dbf8-48f0-a8d9-a208ea640752" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndPurchasePriceAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndPurchasePriceAdjustments_45d381d2-dbf8-48f0-a8d9-a208ea640752" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_c85dbf28-942c-4a12-b231-7b3435b1f1be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_c85dbf28-942c-4a12-b231-7b3435b1f1be" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_ea509ec6-bd08-47df-b137-d3a17b8f4e22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_ea509ec6-bd08-47df-b137-d3a17b8f4e22" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionCashAndCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCash_40392b2c-35c4-49b0-9257-925f8d6cf1f3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionCashAndCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionCashAndCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCash_40392b2c-35c4-49b0-9257-925f8d6cf1f3" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetCashOutflow_301af538-6b84-45bd-b1ce-42117617343b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetCashOutflow"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisitionNetCashOutflow_301af538-6b84-45bd-b1ce-42117617343b" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOwnershipPercentageByThirdPartyInvestor_c243e179-a073-42d9-88fb-37a525bfb0e7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionOwnershipPercentageByThirdPartyInvestor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOwnershipPercentageByThirdPartyInvestor_c243e179-a073-42d9-88fb-37a525bfb0e7" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityDeliverableMegawatts_b8d3c814-c8c6-440f-af44-3656d904d4d2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityDeliverableMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityDeliverableMegawatts_b8d3c814-c8c6-440f-af44-3656d904d4d2" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_cec23fda-93ed-4ec6-bbbd-19e9e217b366" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_cec23fda-93ed-4ec6-bbbd-19e9e217b366" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm_995a2a83-f379-4196-ba5e-b080c124c3fb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm_995a2a83-f379-4196-ba5e-b080c124c3fb" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests_011667fc-12a6-406d-8a1c-c12dcc38066a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests_011667fc-12a6-406d-8a1c-c12dcc38066a" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_631d94b3-66d9-4cf1-92b1-62cd5f67801f" 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_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_631d94b3-66d9-4cf1-92b1-62cd5f67801f" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest_f9ac3826-8c81-419f-a326-9267e32a88e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest_f9ac3826-8c81-419f-a326-9267e32a88e0" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_52e1fa40-d2c4-4e78-b818-f159260daa4b" 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_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_52e1fa40-d2c4-4e78-b818-f159260daa4b" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent_a0ae87a0-b5b0-437d-b26f-3c8ee8fcd109" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercent_a0ae87a0-b5b0-437d-b26f-3c8ee8fcd109" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent_cb7efad0-32a9-4c15-afcc-f759ef4f1f85" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsIntangibleAssetsPercent_cb7efad0-32a9-4c15-afcc-f759ef4f1f85" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent_9c476e65-8a19-4b7d-9730-67561fd2d41d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLiabilitiesHeldForSalePercent_9c476e65-8a19-4b7d-9730-67561fd2d41d" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_6ee69535-1147-4373-aa90-4b741332ea22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_6ee69535-1147-4373-aa90-4b741332ea22" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_aade9511-7e59-4f92-ab5b-14b64b3d54a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_aade9511-7e59-4f92-ab5b-14b64b3d54a3" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipInterestSold_2a3374b6-d91f-43d7-afa1-159e4ad80af2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipInterestSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfAssetsPercentageOwnershipInterestSold_2a3374b6-d91f-43d7-afa1-159e4ad80af2" xlink:type="arc" order="32"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_52860ac2-41da-4f90-a8ad-c187f79b7fc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de_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_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" 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_396696be-829a-42fe-aea6-5c3635f9f8de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_eb24e886-7766-44e3-b984-a255f56ea461" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_eb24e886-7766-44e3-b984-a255f56ea461" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteSkyMember_e6e6f253-a7e7-4dc1-8e13-dec3b1459496" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteSkyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteSkyMember_e6e6f253-a7e7-4dc1-8e13-dec3b1459496" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember_0202601d-b66d-45f4-b9cb-45e846301d7b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember_0202601d-b66d-45f4-b9cb-45e846301d7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember_f8104fa4-df96-4986-91b7-7bd8adb81158" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember_f8104fa4-df96-4986-91b7-7bd8adb81158" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_587a82a6-730d-45d3-bd9e-fdac5dd80ca0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_587a82a6-730d-45d3-bd9e-fdac5dd80ca0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember_933935e0-8269-48dd-a99a-c89e256d3fb7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember_933935e0-8269-48dd-a99a-c89e256d3fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_f2c5c3a3-2f55-4a7d-b479-bbc9f0116763" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_f2c5c3a3-2f55-4a7d-b479-bbc9f0116763" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_ffdf3064-ad4a-4248-9131-d3482021c5ca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosamondCentralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_b587483b-ac9d-4232-b408-c6f4332032a5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_ffdf3064-ad4a-4248-9131-d3482021c5ca" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_f160f2ba-8915-4acc-8f53-1d7be1c551f0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_db9daa7a-9e5c-4906-8173-0c44270f52c0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_f160f2ba-8915-4acc-8f53-1d7be1c551f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_0d6f4e75-7406-4a1f-8c24-41aded5db747" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_f160f2ba-8915-4acc-8f53-1d7be1c551f0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_0d6f4e75-7406-4a1f-8c24-41aded5db747" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WindPowerGenerationMember_116c23c9-ba6f-43a7-bb39-0fa2b137ce2f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WindPowerGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_f160f2ba-8915-4acc-8f53-1d7be1c551f0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WindPowerGenerationMember_116c23c9-ba6f-43a7-bb39-0fa2b137ce2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945" 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_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945_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_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8ee377c2-669a-4c86-8664-d900cf5be518" 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_be3e02e5-0540-4c4c-8c02-66ef771fa945" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8ee377c2-669a-4c86-8664-d900cf5be518" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_99a28faa-f62b-42eb-8e97-544e8dd1139f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8ee377c2-669a-4c86-8664-d900cf5be518" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_99a28faa-f62b-42eb-8e97-544e8dd1139f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc_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_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_b9830e8b-a5ef-4df9-a6aa-f40dfe5b899a" 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_fc8fce65-0673-4e85-98d2-3ee86cf401dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_b9830e8b-a5ef-4df9-a6aa-f40dfe5b899a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RPVHoldco1LLCMember_e71eadd4-d93b-4127-9708-93bbc2c76949" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RPVHoldco1LLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_b9830e8b-a5ef-4df9-a6aa-f40dfe5b899a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RPVHoldco1LLCMember_e71eadd4-d93b-4127-9708-93bbc2c76949" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EnergyCenterDoverMember_215fad26-3584-4b0e-885d-bcbc02dead40" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EnergyCenterDoverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_b9830e8b-a5ef-4df9-a6aa-f40dfe5b899a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EnergyCenterDoverMember_215fad26-3584-4b0e-885d-bcbc02dead40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_0c704d52-99de-420d-a6ad-311f7316cc0d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_b9830e8b-a5ef-4df9-a6aa-f40dfe5b899a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_0c704d52-99de-420d-a6ad-311f7316cc0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324" 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_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324_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_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" 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_891b6a7f-03ea-45d7-8a2b-a7f6b474b324" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_c61c611e-84f6-4645-a51f-1e11c87c3de1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_c61c611e-84f6-4645-a51f-1e11c87c3de1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarTaxEquityHoldcoLLCMember_021589ea-2d4b-4bf9-98f2-2a7af1b66fb7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarTaxEquityHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarTaxEquityHoldcoLLCMember_021589ea-2d4b-4bf9-98f2-2a7af1b66fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_72b6c28a-6f29-439f-84f1-d653beb3e981" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_72b6c28a-6f29-439f-84f1-d653beb3e981" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_c9b08966-7b9c-4f18-9842-317daed41b73" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8eba8ff2-191e-4172-bfde-4585a98b5d6d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_c9b08966-7b9c-4f18-9842-317daed41b73" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51_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_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" 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_f19a8ca2-e017-4980-b624-a8195c5d3e51" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewDGHoldingsLLCMember_e29ca7aa-04d0-426d-a04a-3e9417898ac7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewDGHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewDGHoldingsLLCMember_e29ca7aa-04d0-426d-a04a-3e9417898ac7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SERCMember_6946c234-73cb-4b0a-b030-c7e3705344f1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SERCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SERCMember_6946c234-73cb-4b0a-b030-c7e3705344f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_5afc38d6-9784-46bb-8fc2-f5b19bfddfb2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_5afc38d6-9784-46bb-8fc2-f5b19bfddfb2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_68e3b49b-3285-463c-9d24-ca24b6f22b21" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_68e3b49b-3285-463c-9d24-ca24b6f22b21" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PacifiCorpMember_cbc1e4e6-3847-4502-88b9-c3e26391a239" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PacifiCorpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_8cc660fe-6e02-4435-ae8a-f01db0f5beb5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PacifiCorpMember_cbc1e4e6-3847-4502-88b9-c3e26391a239" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681_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_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c542342a-7002-4348-8330-42d039bc801a" 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_75b84d24-2d23-4c65-9f53-d20033ae2681" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c542342a-7002-4348-8330-42d039bc801a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_06d342ec-be32-475c-a948-d8a5a884fa3f" 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_c542342a-7002-4348-8330-42d039bc801a" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_06d342ec-be32-475c-a948-d8a5a884fa3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef_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_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_732cd416-719b-4d54-a2a7-71d5e411dfe4" 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_d8fcf569-491b-4537-b551-fc25e102b9ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_732cd416-719b-4d54-a2a7-71d5e411dfe4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_7cd67ddd-3278-419f-b36b-9cd0b838e73a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_732cd416-719b-4d54-a2a7-71d5e411dfe4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_7cd67ddd-3278-419f-b36b-9cd0b838e73a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVFundsMember_29a9a0e4-d04c-4284-a9e3-8f2d6cc76d10" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_732cd416-719b-4d54-a2a7-71d5e411dfe4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVFundsMember_29a9a0e4-d04c-4284-a9e3-8f2d6cc76d10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812_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_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9dd701dc-1d98-447a-ab3b-d0ab54dc7d72" 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_ce39e443-dc3b-43d7-89e8-eb0eee4de812" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9dd701dc-1d98-447a-ab3b-d0ab54dc7d72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarMember_c43e7299-8fac-4280-a629-893081d4ee0e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9dd701dc-1d98-447a-ab3b-d0ab54dc7d72" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarMember_c43e7299-8fac-4280-a629-893081d4ee0e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0_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_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_37a768e4-2657-4019-9e00-5a4b3f567efc" 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_62a644db-fabe-4971-8570-0c9b74ade7f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_37a768e4-2657-4019-9e00-5a4b3f567efc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_16e6cf12-e742-41c5-b7d6-8fd894b72718" 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_37a768e4-2657-4019-9e00-5a4b3f567efc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_16e6cf12-e742-41c5-b7d6-8fd894b72718" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c_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_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_d0874c60-2e27-45b1-9b98-cd7a136195d5" 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_cbd4a603-3922-4a36-8462-08ac6c1dcb0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_d0874c60-2e27-45b1-9b98-cd7a136195d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_5b04588b-9b32-41b1-bfff-26dcc334c8ea" 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_d0874c60-2e27-45b1-9b98-cd7a136195d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_5b04588b-9b32-41b1-bfff-26dcc334c8ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_6c57f4b0-73dc-4797-a39b-477228cd8109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d_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_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a9d9cdd8-b716-4dcf-bda2-2c619d11e70b" 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_f25e6823-890f-4a63-a7ec-17e66317e07d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a9d9cdd8-b716-4dcf-bda2-2c619d11e70b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_f0a1b486-27da-4adc-a3d1-8b4844ee77a8" 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_a9d9cdd8-b716-4dcf-bda2-2c619d11e70b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_f0a1b486-27da-4adc-a3d1-8b4844ee77a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0fa28dce80cc4c54aae53060416d9ca6_AcquisitionsandDispositionsSummaryofAssetsandLiabilitiesTransferredDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionCurrentAssets_9a25edde-4810-45b5-8014-e6af3683af9e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionCurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionCurrentAssets_9a25edde-4810-45b5-8014-e6af3683af9e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRestrictedCash_b8e9c6ad-b223-42e0-826e-267e6036d213" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionRestrictedCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRestrictedCash_b8e9c6ad-b223-42e0-826e-267e6036d213" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet_e8f439f9-8413-4da4-900d-7d6f0b5f263e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionsNet_e8f439f9-8413-4da4-900d-7d6f0b5f263e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_IntangibleAssetsAcquiredPurchasePowerAgreement_d2f5fe26-d2ed-4b10-844d-9086147b9629" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_IntangibleAssetsAcquiredPurchasePowerAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_IntangibleAssetsAcquiredPurchasePowerAgreement_d2f5fe26-d2ed-4b10-844d-9086147b9629" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent_bd4865b8-80f2-436e-8c4f-ebf38864c752" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOtherAssetsCurrent_bd4865b8-80f2-436e-8c4f-ebf38864c752" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_f6e047cf-c30e-4b48-b05e-6f8b337f70a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_f6e047cf-c30e-4b48-b05e-6f8b337f70a3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset_ba9e81c0-78fd-4a6e-89e0-e906ca20388e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionRightOfUseAsset_ba9e81c0-78fd-4a6e-89e0-e906ca20388e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired_d00bdb82-909f-4eea-937c-53b2a5364f05" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquired_d00bdb82-909f-4eea-937c-53b2a5364f05" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_8bbb850e-7a75-41c5-8535-c472d13fcc88" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLongTermDebt_8bbb850e-7a75-41c5-8535-c472d13fcc88" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAccountPayableAndOtherCurrentLiabilities_b1f3b1a4-5200-4778-adb1-0d35d2f2d3d7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAccountPayableAndOtherCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAccountPayableAndOtherCurrentLiabilities_b1f3b1a4-5200-4778-adb1-0d35d2f2d3d7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_7fcb2baa-e7c2-4dcf-822e-3f08ff07ccf9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_7fcb2baa-e7c2-4dcf-822e-3f08ff07ccf9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionDerivativeInstrumentNotionalAmount_351f8f6b-c0a2-42f3-842d-8519898f76d4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionDerivativeInstrumentNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionDerivativeInstrumentNotionalAmount_351f8f6b-c0a2-42f3-842d-8519898f76d4" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_106a9f6c-e6e6-4f43-8c57-a828047945d9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesOtherCurrentAndNoncurrent_106a9f6c-e6e6-4f43-8c57-a828047945d9" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed_3cd778e5-3151-4640-a2e8-5d9eb18d16b6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionLiabilitiesAssumed_3cd778e5-3151-4640-a2e8-5d9eb18d16b6" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_11d7e9f8-a147-44c3-8fbc-292a7fae0abb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_11d7e9f8-a147-44c3-8fbc-292a7fae0abb" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionEquityMethodInvestmentRemoved_e897ded8-3843-4609-8824-b6549ba6be67" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionEquityMethodInvestmentRemoved"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionEquityMethodInvestmentRemoved_e897ded8-3843-4609-8824-b6549ba6be67" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_6455ee63-3aa0-4ba4-a58c-3396b16cb661" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AssetAcquisitionAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_6455ee63-3aa0-4ba4-a58c-3396b16cb661" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_c5f26a86-ac19-45dc-9406-c55f1bb64c61" 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_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_c5f26a86-ac19-45dc-9406-c55f1bb64c61" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_32a5892d-5ccc-495b-9c55-e908cdea6c10" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepaymentOfDebtAcquiredInAssetAcquisition_32a5892d-5ccc-495b-9c55-e908cdea6c10" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_eeae749d-fa8b-45c5-bbce-ba0765559f07" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsToFundProjectReserveAccounts_eeae749d-fa8b-45c5-bbce-ba0765559f07" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_e6c537d4-19ba-45fe-a2b3-550e20ed29a5" 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_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_e6c537d4-19ba-45fe-a2b3-550e20ed29a5" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EscrowDeposit_3cbe2bf0-49bc-4837-8986-2e810604fc1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EscrowDeposit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EscrowDeposit_3cbe2bf0-49bc-4837-8986-2e810604fc1c" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_fb204f78-663d-45d9-b67a-4690973fd67e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_ce3e8cae-e632-4453-8acd-bc481150ea78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_fb204f78-663d-45d9-b67a-4690973fd67e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_fb204f78-663d-45d9-b67a-4690973fd67e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774_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_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" 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_8ac0e4db-f457-4118-a45f-8e7506ef4774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_2e7e6980-79fe-47e0-b3ba-c7b32dfba7d8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BlackRockDropDownMember_2e7e6980-79fe-47e0-b3ba-c7b32dfba7d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteSkyMember_5661c2a0-445e-4cb8-a4fb-e43a5cc97f5f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteSkyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteSkyMember_5661c2a0-445e-4cb8-a4fb-e43a5cc97f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember_0d4bf884-5832-4c1f-87a5-a6410a848a0b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarPortfolioMember_0d4bf884-5832-4c1f-87a5-a6410a848a0b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember_ad6f28b5-113f-4df0-b027-e1d5fcddf38f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NedPowerMountStormLLCMember_ad6f28b5-113f-4df0-b027-e1d5fcddf38f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_5868553e-53b3-4f04-8f5c-f657a2c9c59e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_5868553e-53b3-4f04-8f5c-f657a2c9c59e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_b396e266-b8c4-4ee0-8c7d-6b1f8dce97fd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosamondCentralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_b396e266-b8c4-4ee0-8c7d-6b1f8dce97fd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_5841b792-72bc-4541-97cd-2582550d53c7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_5841b792-72bc-4541-97cd-2582550d53c7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember_b948e809-61cf-4919-ba5c-b8bcbfc79867" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_621aefbd-2495-43a9-a1c2-1fc1f9a5120d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeFlatLLCMember_b948e809-61cf-4919-ba5c-b8bcbfc79867" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe" 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_AssetAcquisitionTable_fb204f78-663d-45d9-b67a-4690973fd67e" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe_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_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a9833db7-f6af-41e5-8d05-29a400681cbe" 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_b35f7fda-cb75-4b71-8ebe-396808d5eabe" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a9833db7-f6af-41e5-8d05-29a400681cbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityAndCashEquityInvestorsMember_98fb119e-d23b-4666-9866-0e58a22d633f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityAndCashEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a9833db7-f6af-41e5-8d05-29a400681cbe" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityAndCashEquityInvestorsMember_98fb119e-d23b-4666-9866-0e58a22d633f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_a0fe9cef-8c01-4c1a-a054-8946f17759f2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_TaxEquityAndCashEquityInvestorsMember_98fb119e-d23b-4666-9866-0e58a22d633f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_a0fe9cef-8c01-4c1a-a054-8946f17759f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CashEquityInvestorMember_c66094e9-ac1b-44fd-9d4b-dfe6a4e75efe" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CashEquityInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_TaxEquityAndCashEquityInvestorsMember_98fb119e-d23b-4666-9866-0e58a22d633f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CashEquityInvestorMember_c66094e9-ac1b-44fd-9d4b-dfe6a4e75efe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_bf5eed38-3185-46ae-9f72-e79bae7428d2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a9833db7-f6af-41e5-8d05-29a400681cbe" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_bf5eed38-3185-46ae-9f72-e79bae7428d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AcquisitionsandDispositionsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AcquisitionsandDispositionsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idf5dd1e18e9b4ef4bb5234d03c891c7b_AcquisitionsandDispositionsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_0701543b-7075-48a5-b943-4f7658d7a47b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_0701543b-7075-48a5-b943-4f7658d7a47b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_08a4a8c8-7880-442d-886a-185df286b0a9" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_08a4a8c8-7880-442d-886a-185df286b0a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_2af94e76-f834-41ae-ba3d-a5679a66ba31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_2af94e76-f834-41ae-ba3d-a5679a66ba31" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_0be2deff-bb4e-49a6-92b1-cfc0fed41241" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_0be2deff-bb4e-49a6-92b1-cfc0fed41241" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_d0a36447-368a-44c1-90f3-3d9cba3dd918" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_d0a36447-368a-44c1-90f3-3d9cba3dd918" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_c11fa944-bead-40c6-8612-a64244daeaa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_c11fa944-bead-40c6-8612-a64244daeaa6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_96ac23fe-f9f2-47ce-b593-9faf713d1d03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_96ac23fe-f9f2-47ce-b593-9faf713d1d03" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_b0dd1655-8494-4ffa-a6f1-ddade565afe0" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_b0dd1655-8494-4ffa-a6f1-ddade565afe0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_7c46aab8-084a-41e4-9efc-be82a8b8e3d1" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_7c46aab8-084a-41e4-9efc-be82a8b8e3d1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest_cddde381-6e84-4a76-859c-e3c83c26bc6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedLessNoncontrollingInterest_cddde381-6e84-4a76-859c-e3c83c26bc6a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_fbd37c9e-5512-4c4b-9be9-ea92ce4f5945" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_d14dd670-b548-4f26-88ac-8d253aefb6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_fbd37c9e-5512-4c4b-9be9-ea92ce4f5945" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb" 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_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_fbd37c9e-5512-4c4b-9be9-ea92ce4f5945" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb_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_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e852bd9a-43ac-46fb-8940-f181a4cfb4ad" 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_73d9d5ea-2b80-48d5-a89f-22f969604ffb" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e852bd9a-43ac-46fb-8940-f181a4cfb4ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVFundsMember_cdb4c6df-93a7-4cfc-a6a1-264cfae8a030" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e852bd9a-43ac-46fb-8940-f181a4cfb4ad" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVFundsMember_cdb4c6df-93a7-4cfc-a6a1-264cfae8a030" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_244d9d9b-a00b-4067-a5e7-14ee0b9271b6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e852bd9a-43ac-46fb-8940-f181a4cfb4ad" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarHoldCoLLCMember_244d9d9b-a00b-4067-a5e7-14ee0b9271b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194" 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_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_fbd37c9e-5512-4c4b-9be9-ea92ce4f5945" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194_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_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_902ee731-1c9b-4078-808b-e0e0391157b8" 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_1d119ced-986e-4bde-b45b-8d86a395b194" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_902ee731-1c9b-4078-808b-e0e0391157b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member_d6cd7d48-017e-4bb7-b765-9f48924af8e1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_902ee731-1c9b-4078-808b-e0e0391157b8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member_d6cd7d48-017e-4bb7-b765-9f48924af8e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_6938e7a9-a380-4835-9550-a29b5782c5b8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_902ee731-1c9b-4078-808b-e0e0391157b8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_6938e7a9-a380-4835-9550-a29b5782c5b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarMember_1c411abe-5f63-4024-a7b4-f9b055df57a9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MesquiteStarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_902ee731-1c9b-4078-808b-e0e0391157b8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MesquiteStarMember_1c411abe-5f63-4024-a7b4-f9b055df57a9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifda68df3791544db92348cf131179e89_PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_eebc8289-1472-4a2c-b71a-ffbcd47fab42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_eebc8289-1472-4a2c-b71a-ffbcd47fab42" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_a1feee52-2cf1-48fa-8de7-4042737ef059" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_a1feee52-2cf1-48fa-8de7-4042737ef059" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_55fe4f91-8a36-4ca1-8927-bc9340d79b71" 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_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_55fe4f91-8a36-4ca1-8927-bc9340d79b71" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_f171dffb-bf78-4a70-8a87-d6aa12face40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_f171dffb-bf78-4a70-8a87-d6aa12face40" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement_a705827c-c11f-445a-aaab-31adb3868f88" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement_a705827c-c11f-445a-aaab-31adb3868f88" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_27c7f161-6837-4f72-905a-92ce0fc87b1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_27c7f161-6837-4f72-905a-92ce0fc87b1a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a479a299-db04-4f23-a12f-7e245ab3b2e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_a721e8c8-0a17-4658-b24e-f9f921bbc385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a479a299-db04-4f23-a12f-7e245ab3b2e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784" 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_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a479a299-db04-4f23-a12f-7e245ab3b2e2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784_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_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b60b34aa-f36e-479a-9088-035b279685fc" 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_33283d38-13b9-4682-a7d9-66db92259784" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b60b34aa-f36e-479a-9088-035b279685fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_f8b30c06-19eb-436e-9449-f82180b5dd35" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b60b34aa-f36e-479a-9088-035b279685fc" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_f8b30c06-19eb-436e-9449-f82180b5dd35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a479a299-db04-4f23-a12f-7e245ab3b2e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_5ed82df1-ffee-4955-ac07-e7dc725c0d70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_580478de-b265-4c60-80c7-b03182e251e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_5ed82df1-ffee-4955-ac07-e7dc725c0d70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesMember_27aae786-99d5-48ab-98f9-e6e1514ec08f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_5ed82df1-ffee-4955-ac07-e7dc725c0d70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesMember_27aae786-99d5-48ab-98f9-e6e1514ec08f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_1ee2cdbe-92f0-4192-a7fd-f8ed6558e1be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_5ed82df1-ffee-4955-ac07-e7dc725c0d70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_1ee2cdbe-92f0-4192-a7fd-f8ed6558e1be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_03499424-3c88-4af0-8dd7-9d37b36b781f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_5ed82df1-ffee-4955-ac07-e7dc725c0d70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_03499424-3c88-4af0-8dd7-9d37b36b781f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f" 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_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a479a299-db04-4f23-a12f-7e245ab3b2e2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f_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_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_55648f54-c918-4822-8ea0-dfd8471e136d" 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_984ab376-5a59-452a-b92c-62c911a6478f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_55648f54-c918-4822-8ea0-dfd8471e136d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_656abde3-0dcf-44d4-8954-be3e1c0097b8" 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_55648f54-c918-4822-8ea0-dfd8471e136d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_656abde3-0dcf-44d4-8954-be3e1c0097b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_db92d574-1735-4dd1-b42d-4e4d057b76ba" 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_55648f54-c918-4822-8ea0-dfd8471e136d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_db92d574-1735-4dd1-b42d-4e4d057b76ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesMaximumExposuretoLossLimitedtoEquitymethodinvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesMaximumExposuretoLossLimitedtoEquitymethodinvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesMaximumExposuretoLossLimitedtoEquitymethodinvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie6ac9ba0c1ab46ed8586b7a3e8e74ddc_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesMaximumExposuretoLossLimitedtoEquitymethodinvestmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_53ed7247-13c7-4836-8890-e6f68550c8ff" 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_2eb7acba-3730-4d24-883a-2e94ba66b0a4" 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_53ed7247-13c7-4836-8890-e6f68550c8ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_2eb7acba-3730-4d24-883a-2e94ba66b0a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_88a1d048-a065-448d-a073-05a3374bff97" 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_53ed7247-13c7-4836-8890-e6f68550c8ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_88a1d048-a065-448d-a073-05a3374bff97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_2363fd1c-ca76-498a-b0ca-9e39e7df5f40" 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_53ed7247-13c7-4836-8890-e6f68550c8ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_2363fd1c-ca76-498a-b0ca-9e39e7df5f40" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308" 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_2363fd1c-ca76-498a-b0ca-9e39e7df5f40" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308_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_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" 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_b4788fca-86a8-4bce-bb00-73021b50e308" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_b484b0f5-57c3-40ee-a3f2-0650b80d18f8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AvenalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_b484b0f5-57c3-40ee-a3f2-0650b80d18f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_67ad8e81-dbe5-43ce-93de-6341721205e9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DesertSunlightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_67ad8e81-dbe5-43ce-93de-6341721205e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember_02b3c639-7695-406b-b85f-e5c26ef8b620" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElkhornRidgeMember_02b3c639-7695-406b-b85f-e5c26ef8b620" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember_c7d936ee-30ac-40e0-8468-cd91209b2a80" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GenConnEnergyLlcMember_c7d936ee-30ac-40e0-8468-cd91209b2a80" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SanJuanMesaMember_91cef67c-579e-46ee-a845-b041839d1ea8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SanJuanMesaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3a0fa0bc-5c92-4bea-b8e2-cffff133f3f6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SanJuanMesaMember_91cef67c-579e-46ee-a845-b041839d1ea8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesSummarizedFinancialInformationofEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesSummarizedFinancialInformationofEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesSummarizedFinancialInformationofEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie647a0ac7dc5482d8cd487a0367af8cc_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesSummarizedFinancialInformationofEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" 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_Revenues_7d10d863-0937-4ff5-a59b-5dc4a25933ca" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_7d10d863-0937-4ff5-a59b-5dc4a25933ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_8eae589e-a19c-4239-b40b-8cebcd977f81" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_8eae589e-a19c-4239-b40b-8cebcd977f81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_a2de979f-26a7-44a2-ae08-2fa44743c2ac" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_a2de979f-26a7-44a2-ae08-2fa44743c2ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_dac56958-c085-4f95-8b24-b1160f818fdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_dac56958-c085-4f95-8b24-b1160f818fdd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent_4bcb532e-6297-4647-b95e-a491cf92c28f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNoncurrent_4bcb532e-6297-4647-b95e-a491cf92c28f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_7378a7db-c02b-4f00-8b1e-d991a82991e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_7378a7db-c02b-4f00-8b1e-d991a82991e8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent_9d838d23-305c-4768-89c1-fcbacc7ef2cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesNoncurrent_9d838d23-305c-4768-89c1-fcbacc7ef2cd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalOwnershipAcquired_457f925a-153a-4e7d-b8c8-2031a0021194" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalOwnershipAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalOwnershipAcquired_457f925a-153a-4e7d-b8c8-2031a0021194" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_bf6d571f-7b73-43e2-bd82-fbbe66c73f6b" 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_22e0e4be-7d55-48e9-9055-2083600d29f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_bf6d571f-7b73-43e2-bd82-fbbe66c73f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40" 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_bf6d571f-7b73-43e2-bd82-fbbe66c73f6b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40_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_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" 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_83267c40-8cd1-4913-8e3b-f6e6f63a8d40" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GenConnMember_c0ca83d0-c00f-431f-bbc6-4b7f448031c9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_GenConnMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GenConnMember_c0ca83d0-c00f-431f-bbc6-4b7f448031c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_18b647b1-6f78-47b7-9bad-d7232847e789" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DesertSunlightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_18b647b1-6f78-47b7-9bad-d7232847e789" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InvestmentsOtherMember_0415b324-7c99-4667-b888-97450cf41cc2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InvestmentsOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InvestmentsOtherMember_0415b324-7c99-4667-b888-97450cf41cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_632de41d-8337-4124-ae37-d81c80a16486" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteMember_632de41d-8337-4124-ae37-d81c80a16486" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahPortfolioMember_9bb6f602-60e9-4469-9e3d-1122d3948134" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_37c3bfdd-f06f-4fec-9d5e-703f7de34c2f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahPortfolioMember_9bb6f602-60e9-4469-9e3d-1122d3948134" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesVIEsthatareConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesVIEsthatareConsolidatedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesVIEsthatareConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic86df61201b54c8e8657a8438ce02271_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesVIEsthatareConsolidatedDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" 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_d7ae2365-fba7-4b62-82fe-008443577f04" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_d7ae2365-fba7-4b62-82fe-008443577f04" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_7b344750-da0b-4238-bd23-d6f3c54c8370" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_7b344750-da0b-4238-bd23-d6f3c54c8370" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_24b505fd-2216-410f-a21e-74ee479722bd" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_24b505fd-2216-410f-a21e-74ee479722bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_f80f8ca2-76f6-4ccd-9a6d-18271be1f68b" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_f80f8ca2-76f6-4ccd-9a6d-18271be1f68b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_ad72bd8f-c6ea-4c9b-8f2d-373bbd435d16" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_ad72bd8f-c6ea-4c9b-8f2d-373bbd435d16" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_adae016a-96ad-4041-ac58-c70104a68df8" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_adae016a-96ad-4041-ac58-c70104a68df8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNet_c3b36cdd-6708-4f49-910c-4491c8c31dcd" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNet_c3b36cdd-6708-4f49-910c-4491c8c31dcd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_ebf85504-1a85-4a96-989c-1581d62eca1d" 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_0a82d49a-b2ec-4c84-bf84-a47f36dbdb4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_ebf85504-1a85-4a96-989c-1581d62eca1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205" 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_ebf85504-1a85-4a96-989c-1581d62eca1d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205_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_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" 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_a9a60965-7a7b-4407-aa10-1af6644ea205" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_89e1ae23-c80d-4d79-9b2f-1831d84f67c5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_89e1ae23-c80d-4d79-9b2f-1831d84f67c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_167570b2-abd1-4670-8347-55ad8454be94" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_167570b2-abd1-4670-8347-55ad8454be94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_fbea1aee-06d5-4fc2-9c3c-33726b7809bc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_fbea1aee-06d5-4fc2-9c3c-33726b7809bc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_3a9799b5-4716-43ae-8a94-327b477620a7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_3a9799b5-4716-43ae-8a94-327b477620a7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember_cca17809-8959-474b-ba22-71e079232cab" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordTEPartnershipLLCMember_cca17809-8959-474b-ba22-71e079232cab" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_faf6d069-efa1-446c-8072-f98eb3085d1d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_faf6d069-efa1-446c-8072-f98eb3085d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember_c434c073-866e-46db-af05-e6fbb8792525" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldco2LLCMember_c434c073-866e-46db-af05-e6fbb8792525" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_de796335-69c8-4a1b-908e-56d4e347e4ba" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_de796335-69c8-4a1b-908e-56d4e347e4ba" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_d0e120de-6c72-4b38-ae9e-c52e123786f6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_d0e120de-6c72-4b38-ae9e-c52e123786f6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_71b0d414-5ed2-4c8a-a529-9bb98b289ddd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_71b0d414-5ed2-4c8a-a529-9bb98b289ddd" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_d1e406b5-de7b-4165-8d10-e6809c2dd210" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_d1e406b5-de7b-4165-8d10-e6809c2dd210" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f24a4a31-d102-42ff-a411-95cb2bcd3cc3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f24a4a31-d102-42ff-a411-95cb2bcd3cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember_c5863478-9e85-4084-af66-b039d67f3dd4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d1b2e615-e6a9-454a-b0a6-b93d28847f6f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherConsolidatedVariableInterestEntitiesMember_c5863478-9e85-4084-af66-b039d67f3dd4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iad22aaadac5c4ca0ac0158878b3911d4_InvestmentsAccountedforbytheEquityMethodandVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" 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_RetainedEarningsUndistributedEarningsFromEquityMethodInvestees_c70204de-dce4-4746-899f-dc32297cbe30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUndistributedEarningsFromEquityMethodInvestees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsUndistributedEarningsFromEquityMethodInvestees_c70204de-dce4-4746-899f-dc32297cbe30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_3718f70c-cb79-414a-b10d-b9b82f592f28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_3718f70c-cb79-414a-b10d-b9b82f592f28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BusinessAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapital_910fb23a-a84a-4729-9d9d-1e4a76e60d86" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BusinessAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BusinessAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapital_910fb23a-a84a-4729-9d9d-1e4a76e60d86" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_fcd1b6a3-9b9f-4580-9e0b-9fb19771b37c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_fcd1b6a3-9b9f-4580-9e0b-9fb19771b37c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm_f25c19e9-6afa-4117-ba53-606f35860bb8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RemainingLeaseTerm_f25c19e9-6afa-4117-ba53-606f35860bb8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_IncomeAllocationPercentage_99cdbe4e-6184-46de-8625-29b7186fe4a8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_IncomeAllocationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_IncomeAllocationPercentage_99cdbe4e-6184-46de-8625-29b7186fe4a8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_6beca89a-9366-4c31-8302-3ae9d947b006" 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_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_6beca89a-9366-4c31-8302-3ae9d947b006" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates_c8f6f37b-cb5b-4113-a50a-295afd35e79e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates_c8f6f37b-cb5b-4113-a50a-295afd35e79e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NumberOfProjects_03b65c08-1533-4a55-bd46-1d940d3edafb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NumberOfProjects"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NumberOfProjects_03b65c08-1533-4a55-bd46-1d940d3edafb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NumberOfTaxEquityFunds_7100048e-7718-4f4d-9cf8-4127c3912e01" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NumberOfTaxEquityFunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NumberOfTaxEquityFunds_7100048e-7718-4f4d-9cf8-4127c3912e01" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NumberOfSolarProjects_efb44cf1-de66-4cc6-b0b7-05ed2362125d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NumberOfSolarProjects"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NumberOfSolarProjects_efb44cf1-de66-4cc6-b0b7-05ed2362125d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests_ac53158b-9e36-44b8-89cf-855f9e7af2cb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NoncontrollingInterestAdjustmentForPurchaseOfInterests_ac53158b-9e36-44b8-89cf-855f9e7af2cb" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_a84b3cd6-4773-4b9e-8570-dfc081b015bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_a84b3cd6-4773-4b9e-8570-dfc081b015bb" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_840e952f-7c9d-4e56-9ffc-4ecd756485d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_840e952f-7c9d-4e56-9ffc-4ecd756485d5" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_eee6724f-9a50-489c-9654-80c951d77725" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_eee6724f-9a50-489c-9654-80c951d77725" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_b000de11-3cea-4357-90a4-775385b44676" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerPurchaseAgreementPeriod_b000de11-3cea-4357-90a4-775385b44676" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest_62db07af-0ae4-4426-8cfe-6d471f179d57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest_62db07af-0ae4-4426-8cfe-6d471f179d57" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_c14527af-26b9-419f-9516-c95702ba8827" 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_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_c14527af-26b9-419f-9516-c95702ba8827" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts_f032e184-a523-4719-b8c4-b083045a5610" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDebtNetOfIssuanceCosts_f032e184-a523-4719-b8c4-b083045a5610" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPercent_988ffa78-a0ef-43d6-b466-136986003314" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BusinessCombinationCapitalContributionPercent_988ffa78-a0ef-43d6-b466-136986003314" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_0dcd12bd-83e0-4816-92fe-4dcd475e00a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_0dcd12bd-83e0-4816-92fe-4dcd475e00a5" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_22e6d295-d09e-4fdf-b9ad-33cca50c366f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_22e6d295-d09e-4fdf-b9ad-33cca50c366f" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_a2b777e7-bf73-4882-985a-c27a3a944503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_a2b777e7-bf73-4882-985a-c27a3a944503" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PercentageofCashAvailableforDistributions_104e3f11-8c4d-4b40-8bc5-bdfb3bd121dc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PercentageofCashAvailableforDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PercentageofCashAvailableforDistributions_104e3f11-8c4d-4b40-8bc5-bdfb3bd121dc" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_21b05a82-2ed3-4abb-942b-93ebc225cd28" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_21b05a82-2ed3-4abb-942b-93ebc225cd28" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPreFlip_8e737f37-42cc-4b3f-9d78-bc219f2e4876" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPreFlip"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPreFlip_8e737f37-42cc-4b3f-9d78-bc219f2e4876" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_459e7140-af29-42c7-aeea-dfbbcecd35f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_459e7140-af29-42c7-aeea-dfbbcecd35f9" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_03384fa2-d238-4ead-9f37-7a3edb32ba45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_03384fa2-d238-4ead-9f37-7a3edb32ba45" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPostFlip_cb1befa3-961b-4de8-97ab-3e379516a99d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPostFlip"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxableIncomeAllocationPostFlip_cb1befa3-961b-4de8-97ab-3e379516a99d" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_e529f8ac-e028-40a3-9a39-dddb91a5a2fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_e529f8ac-e028-40a3-9a39-dddb91a5a2fd" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PercentageOfOwnership_8498e7c5-3977-4cbf-b6b2-dc13773c7caa" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PercentageOfOwnership"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PercentageOfOwnership_8498e7c5-3977-4cbf-b6b2-dc13773c7caa" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_a6afd547-70e1-4022-8b8c-824b211494a8" 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_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_a6afd547-70e1-4022-8b8c-824b211494a8" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_4660fcd5-4974-41f7-9318-87aa571415a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_4660fcd5-4974-41f7-9318-87aa571415a2" xlink:type="arc" order="32"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_0026f13a-dcb0-47c6-9275-085e670b1781" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_0026f13a-dcb0-47c6-9275-085e670b1781" xlink:type="arc" order="33"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_19ea4c26-0e34-491b-b269-02e128e5d617" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_19ea4c26-0e34-491b-b269-02e128e5d617" xlink:type="arc" order="34"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_c83dc281-75f6-4e56-ae00-6349c2ca1fbc" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_c83dc281-75f6-4e56-ae00-6349c2ca1fbc" xlink:type="arc" order="35"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_112baf8c-68cf-4128-b98b-e5a81e075f5c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDistributionsPaidNonCashNetOfContributions_112baf8c-68cf-4128-b98b-e5a81e075f5c" xlink:type="arc" order="36"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_0de737be-4eb7-4d83-8372-4c6df8c5cfb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_0de737be-4eb7-4d83-8372-4c6df8c5cfb1" xlink:type="arc" order="37"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_f1cf9725-bf79-4562-b6f2-d3c4a6ee6d43" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PaymentsForAssetAcquisition_f1cf9725-bf79-4562-b6f2-d3c4a6ee6d43" xlink:type="arc" order="38"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_f118495e-f5f5-4ec5-8e1d-badfd809d094" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_f118495e-f5f5-4ec5-8e1d-badfd809d094" xlink:type="arc" order="39"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_7a7597c8-535c-4378-9f2d-161d4c2ade59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_7a7597c8-535c-4378-9f2d-161d4c2ade59" xlink:type="arc" order="40"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" 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_b1595888-3611-4264-8cf9-b12158612d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0_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_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_b6abc141-af32-4abd-a269-bbb08647a2eb" 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_06c1ae25-7d65-457e-bdb0-8f1b0a6681d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_b6abc141-af32-4abd-a269-bbb08647a2eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_480c992b-55cf-4020-abac-fe79c6febdbf" 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_b6abc141-af32-4abd-a269-bbb08647a2eb" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_480c992b-55cf-4020-abac-fe79c6febdbf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8_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_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" 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_96c205ef-c7a9-4f89-9a17-15df52ff01b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ITCBridgeLoanMember_67eacfef-97cd-45e6-9853-7bc6f61b5886" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ITCBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ITCBridgeLoanMember_67eacfef-97cd-45e6-9853-7bc6f61b5886" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TermDebtMember_cbe7b24b-4123-4fe4-a4d3-6d22026aa5f0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TermDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TermDebtMember_cbe7b24b-4123-4fe4-a4d3-6d22026aa5f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConstructionLoanMember_5b2127cd-a288-4caa-b4cd-74c210d34d47" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConstructionLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConstructionLoanMember_5b2127cd-a288-4caa-b4cd-74c210d34d47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member_26140e1f-2ba0-4b4c-b069-896a33db51d0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member_26140e1f-2ba0-4b4c-b069-896a33db51d0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeClassBLLCCreditFacilityMember_28af4a49-be15-46bb-857a-ad550521d09a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeClassBLLCCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_014d7fca-d02a-4a43-967a-737a1a8cd434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeClassBLLCCreditFacilityMember_28af4a49-be15-46bb-857a-ad550521d09a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494_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_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" 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_8306fc22-72bf-44b4-aa3b-82a3c3a0d494" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_edc3a0a0-64c3-4aa1-97e7-23e33c9fb770" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarPartnershipLLCMember_edc3a0a0-64c3-4aa1-97e7-23e33c9fb770" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_415d73b1-e8d9-406e-aaec-cfa908aeb6bb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_415d73b1-e8d9-406e-aaec-cfa908aeb6bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WindGlobalLLCMember_2401de2e-a9cb-47ba-9d4d-e6eecbbbe642" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WindGlobalLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WindGlobalLLCMember_2401de2e-a9cb-47ba-9d4d-e6eecbbbe642" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember_01ee5fcb-b01b-47e5-a8f4-abfbc94096e1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember_01ee5fcb-b01b-47e5-a8f4-abfbc94096e1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTEHoldcoLLCMember_aae4501d-021a-47b2-ab59-bcbbc4c2b57e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTEHoldcoLLCMember_aae4501d-021a-47b2-ab59-bcbbc4c2b57e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember_8fc01736-fbe2-4536-ab22-7dcf25ce077a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember_8fc01736-fbe2-4536-ab22-7dcf25ce077a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember_3e29a9e7-c1f7-4a9d-96bf-cfc70e2a040d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember_3e29a9e7-c1f7-4a9d-96bf-cfc70e2a040d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember_944129be-ea16-4152-9da3-f969c531ed97" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember_944129be-ea16-4152-9da3-f969c531ed97" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyTaxEquityInvestorMember_a41723a7-125e-4e55-b692-6391ed4e788e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyTaxEquityInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1e81640b-e5a9-4a21-8733-c4e3a50bf93d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyTaxEquityInvestorMember_a41723a7-125e-4e55-b692-6391ed4e788e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_2d4b58cc-8485-4bfe-87c8-bf90df823d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis_0e4171a7-3168-42d6-903d-94f7fb2a70b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_2d4b58cc-8485-4bfe-87c8-bf90df823d84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassAMember_28b5e626-4f1b-4c3c-998e-09544f93962c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_2d4b58cc-8485-4bfe-87c8-bf90df823d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassAMember_28b5e626-4f1b-4c3c-998e-09544f93962c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassBMember_83f1db32-4c15-4e91-b007-ec8dbac7d121" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassDomain_2d4b58cc-8485-4bfe-87c8-bf90df823d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitClassBMember_83f1db32-4c15-4e91-b007-ec8dbac7d121" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_54d02ead-1b88-4ae7-a4a6-a986bd519aa8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_0fc1a82e-2d9b-4fea-b68c-8eb3cfbb077a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_54d02ead-1b88-4ae7-a4a6-a986bd519aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WindFarmsMember_e9cfd0a0-7a07-40b6-9f08-fff2bcd2d837" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WindFarmsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_54d02ead-1b88-4ae7-a4a6-a986bd519aa8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WindFarmsMember_e9cfd0a0-7a07-40b6-9f08-fff2bcd2d837" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PeriodAxis_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PeriodAxis_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PeriodAxis_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_c6ac8018-ff99-43d3-aab4-4b4d375c63bd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PeriodAxis_d6b589b8-ecc4-4ef3-8b06-d3e5e483f340" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_c6ac8018-ff99-43d3-aab4-4b4d375c63bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SecondYearthroughFlipPointMember_1a429a39-6c6d-4424-958e-25a924e205ab" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SecondYearthroughFlipPointMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_c6ac8018-ff99-43d3-aab4-4b4d375c63bd" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SecondYearthroughFlipPointMember_1a429a39-6c6d-4424-958e-25a924e205ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PostFlipPointMember_ec2d3f31-a12e-42a8-9bbe-b16ece5fb8ba" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PostFlipPointMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_c6ac8018-ff99-43d3-aab4-4b4d375c63bd" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PostFlipPointMember_ec2d3f31-a12e-42a8-9bbe-b16ece5fb8ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PredeterminedDateThroughFlipPointIfFlipHasNotOccuredMember_8f771dac-7a49-46fd-aecf-5ff5d1464621" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PredeterminedDateThroughFlipPointIfFlipHasNotOccuredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PeriodDomain_c6ac8018-ff99-43d3-aab4-4b4d375c63bd" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PredeterminedDateThroughFlipPointIfFlipHasNotOccuredMember_8f771dac-7a49-46fd-aecf-5ff5d1464621" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223" 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_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223_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_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" 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_d290b15d-e1cf-44ce-a80c-3cde20659223" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayRenewLLCMember_61c2beb3-5ac7-4af9-b127-b84a7ab3a0e7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayRenewLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayRenewLLCMember_61c2beb3-5ac7-4af9-b127-b84a7ab3a0e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_0d389487-dcbc-45c9-b6cd-5f7dc88085d3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TaxEquityInvestorsMember_0d389487-dcbc-45c9-b6cd-5f7dc88085d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_9eaf5dff-6efe-4a86-98f7-ca07bde96d05" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_9eaf5dff-6efe-4a86-98f7-ca07bde96d05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_b9da7eca-46a0-45e0-b71f-aa5de91663c3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_17ac8f86-d470-4aca-a34e-1bfe0e21d9af" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_b9da7eca-46a0-45e0-b71f-aa5de91663c3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21_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_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" 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_9f023d12-69fd-49f2-a8ae-da4e845a3d21" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarProjectMember_ed778d98-2780-42e4-8571-d1fc83a2c5d0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarProjectMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarProjectMember_ed778d98-2780-42e4-8571-d1fc83a2c5d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WindTEHoldcoMember_913dc476-73c9-4302-8e28-04da301d0268" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WindTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WindTEHoldcoMember_913dc476-73c9-4302-8e28-04da301d0268" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember_c9e19196-97e7-41ae-bca4-5c4f47b8f670" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember_c9e19196-97e7-41ae-bca4-5c4f47b8f670" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_3db3f630-f4a8-41c0-a172-c667ad0cc517" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaXandXITEHoldcoMember_3db3f630-f4a8-41c0-a172-c667ad0cc517" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonMember_165dcf9c-eb00-4c66-91b3-7a4b7dce62d9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SpringCanyonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonMember_165dcf9c-eb00-4c66-91b3-7a4b7dce62d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_2a2c1c6c-f63b-44b2-9c06-68f3402af54c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornRenewablesLLCMember_2a2c1c6c-f63b-44b2-9c06-68f3402af54c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember_47b7a7e9-aec9-4b95-bc01-6c66cfb90019" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordClassBHoldcoLLCMember_47b7a7e9-aec9-4b95-bc01-6c66cfb90019" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_24d88d90-1087-4913-b175-ba49815e7c75" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_24d88d90-1087-4913-b175-ba49815e7c75" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember_0e4e3ffc-b9c6-4246-9ed7-bdd70805e07c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCMember_0e4e3ffc-b9c6-4246-9ed7-bdd70805e07c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f697c233-7345-41a9-af17-27f787b4f9ec" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f697c233-7345-41a9-af17-27f787b4f9ec" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_ab27a620-04ef-4b1c-9bb8-5af2c57a5d40" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_ab27a620-04ef-4b1c-9bb8-5af2c57a5d40" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_589f3aef-6a7e-48bb-bb7c-3fd3e18e453a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_589f3aef-6a7e-48bb-bb7c-3fd3e18e453a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember_61baf00d-d779-49b7-b2ff-6cf34cb65f6a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordTaxEquityPartnershipLLCMember_61baf00d-d779-49b7-b2ff-6cf34cb65f6a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember_19ae8456-806b-47d7-b147-0a7b29032bcd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordWindProjectMember_19ae8456-806b-47d7-b147-0a7b29032bcd" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_e872121b-024f-4dfa-a460-53501ab6d3f6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_09b535e9-a644-4ece-ad38-3fc93e0e6869" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThirdPartyInvestorMember_e872121b-024f-4dfa-a460-53501ab6d3f6" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsByNameAxis_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsByNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsByNameAxis_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsByNameAxis_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain_469e9141-e5c3-4467-9efe-1d3aa7298099" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsByNameAxis_74208fce-23f5-4559-a2b1-ea3386a71db7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain_469e9141-e5c3-4467-9efe-1d3aa7298099" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_FinancialInstitutionsMember_e621ad57-2b47-47dc-9eeb-efff4c8e5b59" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_FinancialInstitutionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestsNameDomain_469e9141-e5c3-4467-9efe-1d3aa7298099" xlink:to="loc_cwen_FinancialInstitutionsMember_e621ad57-2b47-47dc-9eeb-efff4c8e5b59" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fffa2841-4644-4549-ae55-b9f7042284c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember_04185b82-3201-4eea-baa7-684011af56cb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember_04185b82-3201-4eea-baa7-684011af56cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonMember_9aaaf798-7ea4-437c-ae16-08441fca4b39" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SpringCanyonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonMember_9aaaf798-7ea4-437c-ae16-08441fca4b39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonIIMember_6904c579-a74a-49c6-adcc-4074bda8c184" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SpringCanyonIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonIIMember_6904c579-a74a-49c6-adcc-4074bda8c184" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonIIIMember_975d679e-ee85-4ae0-a79a-7dc8647008db" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SpringCanyonIIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SpringCanyonIIIMember_975d679e-ee85-4ae0-a79a-7dc8647008db" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember_85c95b47-240e-40dd-a044-ec5a37f46fac" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember_85c95b47-240e-40dd-a044-ec5a37f46fac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_adbd749a-19de-4088-a2b6-f7a8801028c4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_adbd749a-19de-4088-a2b6-f7a8801028c4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_d5d25526-8a9f-448c-933f-17241c2cce57" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_d5d25526-8a9f-448c-933f-17241c2cce57" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember_a8729dda-a233-45ae-aa19-2035ed7955d3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember_a8729dda-a233-45ae-aa19-2035ed7955d3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f94e6eaa-1555-472b-818d-c3eb191039f1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ad9fe780-a2f6-4798-ab32-23e8d7babf2a" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_f94e6eaa-1555-472b-818d-c3eb191039f1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3" 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_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3_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_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" 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_60e13ca4-c2d4-4373-85ff-528e2576a8a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_f9d7f180-de95-4f61-8156-e39dc7f09f9d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipIILLCMember_f9d7f180-de95-4f61-8156-e39dc7f09f9d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahPortfolioMember_6a561ac3-4a2b-45e1-9cff-0995b7367224" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahPortfolioMember_6a561ac3-4a2b-45e1-9cff-0995b7367224" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_65b17268-2e92-4f1b-b890-f7565ce8f12d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DesertSunlightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DesertSunlightMember_65b17268-2e92-4f1b-b890-f7565ce8f12d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_fedaccb2-9bde-4125-8a5f-b633c92e8c81" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_fedaccb2-9bde-4125-8a5f-b633c92e8c81" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_e5f700a3-c214-40a7-bdbc-4ac2b7f48d2a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AvenalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AvenalMember_e5f700a3-c214-40a7-bdbc-4ac2b7f48d2a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCMember_c23e137c-5d3a-41d0-9fec-2d5bf4a7acb5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCMember_c23e137c-5d3a-41d0-9fec-2d5bf4a7acb5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_e46b5db0-78a3-43c6-9df8-b31bbae7ba05" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_e46b5db0-78a3-43c6-9df8-b31bbae7ba05" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarLanikuhanaMember_9517d41b-c431-40a6-aff5-df60bf81008f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarLanikuhanaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarLanikuhanaMember_9517d41b-c431-40a6-aff5-df60bf81008f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarWaipioMember_b7fb1aa7-c19f-4c38-b165-093e2e2ab4fa" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarWaipioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarWaipioMember_b7fb1aa7-c19f-4c38-b165-093e2e2ab4fa" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_941a0426-7208-4cdd-a683-10b5f898fc0a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_941a0426-7208-4cdd-a683-10b5f898fc0a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember_a82c4e57-2a02-4678-b748-963bd33b4920" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElbowTEHoldcoMember_a82c4e57-2a02-4678-b748-963bd33b4920" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_5d66e224-656b-4a24-887b-98392bb8ecdf" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WildoradoTEHoldcoMember_5d66e224-656b-4a24-887b-98392bb8ecdf" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember_913499fe-50b8-4e26-840d-e5e026021f57" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CWSPWildoradoElbowHoldingLLCMember_913499fe-50b8-4e26-840d-e5e026021f57" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WindTEHoldcoLLCMember_afcf5e06-67b8-47c7-b53f-6abef3853055" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WindTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WindTEHoldcoLLCMember_afcf5e06-67b8-47c7-b53f-6abef3853055" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_cde3e1b9-7229-420f-a790-49e4196978af" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_cde3e1b9-7229-420f-a790-49e4196978af" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_abdebac6-601a-4c70-b562-38a8fcd6c282" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_abdebac6-601a-4c70-b562-38a8fcd6c282" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_171694f1-f5cd-4995-8e8d-489cede11a55" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6b68094c-6486-44c7-b1cd-001d20f7cfa5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipLLCMember_171694f1-f5cd-4995-8e8d-489cede11a55" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408" 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_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408_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_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" 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_d5043692-25b6-4c29-97c8-2e98cab6d408" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_309fe068-18ab-4b7c-894d-21de7d3d104b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco3Member_309fe068-18ab-4b7c-894d-21de7d3d104b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member_e836a67d-95a6-4bad-9327-5c76a5ed5811" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldco1And2Member_e836a67d-95a6-4bad-9327-5c76a5ed5811" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_b424e428-1041-49e9-ae6a-8029b9580744" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LighthouseRenewableHoldcoLLCMember_b424e428-1041-49e9-ae6a-8029b9580744" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_a7535c92-20f1-4d49-b3db-83b3c4c92cb1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCMember_a7535c92-20f1-4d49-b3db-83b3c4c92cb1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_270267a5-1f09-4d82-ad56-9ea5b2e8e912" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bbe64499-7fe8-48d2-9f99-c66d6ff0beb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_270267a5-1f09-4d82-ad56-9ea5b2e8e912" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d" 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_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d_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_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e89bca23-8835-49bd-82ec-9890e1a92ca4" 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_d7197d9b-e0bf-42ca-8cd1-08474ab9de2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e89bca23-8835-49bd-82ec-9890e1a92ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_500f4868-015d-417d-9d83-b576279e77d7" 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_e89bca23-8835-49bd-82ec-9890e1a92ca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_500f4868-015d-417d-9d83-b576279e77d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120" 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_48e6f3fd-3298-4c14-9096-3d24ebf2d3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120_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_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96028f07-9c53-4016-bf8f-44d91835fef2" 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_e2b156f4-6260-48f2-80a7-cb5116642120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96028f07-9c53-4016-bf8f-44d91835fef2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_2998a27c-faf1-428d-989a-57219e462c98" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96028f07-9c53-4016-bf8f-44d91835fef2" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RattlesnakeTEHoldcoLLCMember_2998a27c-faf1-428d-989a-57219e462c98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_bbc2a9c3-4f8c-4c44-a10e-2901277ab11c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_96028f07-9c53-4016-bf8f-44d91835fef2" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LangfordHoldingLLCMember_bbc2a9c3-4f8c-4c44-a10e-2901277ab11c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i435a011649b34f729aa4b85b1e99c0ae_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsBalanceSheetGroupingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_d9ba1301-fdab-43f9-ab82-b58eaf65b685" 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_fcda6680-d41e-450f-af7b-2e16f0c04954" 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_d9ba1301-fdab-43f9-ab82-b58eaf65b685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities_fcda6680-d41e-450f-af7b-2e16f0c04954" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_6b08187c-f99a-4d36-a472-84b11c468939" 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_d9ba1301-fdab-43f9-ab82-b58eaf65b685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_6b08187c-f99a-4d36-a472-84b11c468939" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4" 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_6b08187c-f99a-4d36-a472-84b11c468939" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4_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_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb22e536-a1d6-4713-beef-18efd41096a7" 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_b31a36e6-f423-43a0-a610-d0efdba8dbc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb22e536-a1d6-4713-beef-18efd41096a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_07d80926-7a0e-475a-b594-d140afd24084" 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_fb22e536-a1d6-4713-beef-18efd41096a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_07d80926-7a0e-475a-b594-d140afd24084" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_a8d7e01a-f861-4fc6-a2d4-9cf48c22ca2d" 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_fb22e536-a1d6-4713-beef-18efd41096a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_a8d7e01a-f861-4fc6-a2d4-9cf48c22ca2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523" 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_6b08187c-f99a-4d36-a472-84b11c468939" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523_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_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_1eb0188d-c9be-403c-a184-a2d5f90fbabf" 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_f2798a53-96ac-4cab-b7b8-47f9f3d03523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_1eb0188d-c9be-403c-a184-a2d5f90fbabf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_fe7bca46-d0ca-4b77-95f9-1ede9388c20f" 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_1eb0188d-c9be-403c-a184-a2d5f90fbabf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_fe7bca46-d0ca-4b77-95f9-1ede9388c20f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_3a4f030c-f1ed-4750-8c50-3e91a8f1a8b4" 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_fe7bca46-d0ca-4b77-95f9-1ede9388c20f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_3a4f030c-f1ed-4750-8c50-3e91a8f1a8b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_563f46ee-d613-4b39-bec3-8515a89c2f03" 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_fe7bca46-d0ca-4b77-95f9-1ede9388c20f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_563f46ee-d613-4b39-bec3-8515a89c2f03" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id39067304fac4b2a9550e3d886976ce5_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" 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_d7e505fe-c86f-4949-bf10-34d25e8ac92b" 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_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_d7e505fe-c86f-4949-bf10-34d25e8ac92b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_3d681239-731c-405e-925d-61d9ff788a1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_3d681239-731c-405e-925d-61d9ff788a1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_21fad8ab-0b52-48d4-970e-102d0e9c275f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_21fad8ab-0b52-48d4-970e-102d0e9c275f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_0c695d91-d37e-4bf1-969e-a7c164182668" 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_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_0c695d91-d37e-4bf1-969e-a7c164182668" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" 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_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_91f2b841-8fd4-4494-bdda-4a2a7077e45f" 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_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_91f2b841-8fd4-4494-bdda-4a2a7077e45f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_2a3b5681-d006-460a-a9a6-25a33862de6d" 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_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_2a3b5681-d006-460a-a9a6-25a33862de6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_c899cb58-4117-43df-b727-d20451ba9d4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_c899cb58-4117-43df-b727-d20451ba9d4f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements_aebc0359-8b0a-421f-8a8e-2262283ee96f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_e95c84a9-8d9d-4622-baa5-2e98aa2210d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements_aebc0359-8b0a-421f-8a8e-2262283ee96f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_9a877c27-c783-4e06-80b9-8516bd082dfc" 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_74080863-3169-4662-b1d0-013b5c28a29e" 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_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_74080863-3169-4662-b1d0-013b5c28a29e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f19e9db3-713d-4f80-b5ce-3466e427a0ef" 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_65d9a97c-99b3-4c7c-b70b-9f6de48b35ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f19e9db3-713d-4f80-b5ce-3466e427a0ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650" 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_f19e9db3-713d-4f80-b5ce-3466e427a0ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650_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_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d0c611ef-54be-4128-8be6-bd1d7fcfb4a4" 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_df529061-08c7-4c44-8b5a-4b8ceff83650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d0c611ef-54be-4128-8be6-bd1d7fcfb4a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_489bc559-7d6f-4712-8362-bfd524f446ff" 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_d0c611ef-54be-4128-8be6-bd1d7fcfb4a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_489bc559-7d6f-4712-8362-bfd524f446ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_d6033434-6e5d-476c-a5cc-7af67897a2be" 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_d0c611ef-54be-4128-8be6-bd1d7fcfb4a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_d6033434-6e5d-476c-a5cc-7af67897a2be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f" 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_f19e9db3-713d-4f80-b5ce-3466e427a0ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f_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_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_b268d304-4935-4ee8-98f1-ca09bb2acba0" 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_936aced4-b191-46cc-8582-60086baaee0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_b268d304-4935-4ee8-98f1-ca09bb2acba0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_e52b8fe9-0221-4e07-89f9-f9cd3289de9b" 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_b268d304-4935-4ee8-98f1-ca09bb2acba0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_e52b8fe9-0221-4e07-89f9-f9cd3289de9b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af" 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_f19e9db3-713d-4f80-b5ce-3466e427a0ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af_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_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb066d80-421a-4dc3-baf8-67a391025191" 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_f01d902d-b707-494a-8f3b-ca106374b0af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb066d80-421a-4dc3-baf8-67a391025191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_4776107a-7b1e-4c53-a48b-6c43fdc48d8e" 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_cb066d80-421a-4dc3-baf8-67a391025191" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_4776107a-7b1e-4c53-a48b-6c43fdc48d8e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_e6152e94-cd2b-4c02-9fde-4478916237eb" 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_cb066d80-421a-4dc3-baf8-67a391025191" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_e6152e94-cd2b-4c02-9fde-4478916237eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i53f99f9dd8734572b8aa1251a4e86931_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsSignificantUnobservableInputsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" 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_DerivativeLiabilities_2da39a7f-3591-465e-b904-974f2dfed1ef" 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_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_2da39a7f-3591-465e-b904-974f2dfed1ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_f385c5be-39a3-4256-889e-9d5af01dd068" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_f385c5be-39a3-4256-889e-9d5af01dd068" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_9b0f2220-5e3d-4f2f-a1f8-f6a5dc0d352a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_9b0f2220-5e3d-4f2f-a1f8-f6a5dc0d352a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherAssetsMeasurementInput_30abecd2-2aaf-4640-8b3b-8cc9f71dcbcb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OtherAssetsMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherAssetsMeasurementInput_30abecd2-2aaf-4640-8b3b-8cc9f71dcbcb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" 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_a5e267c2-2e5d-4a68-9517-94f11456fbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616" 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_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616_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_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e1c5b29d-de0c-4918-862c-470e67f649d4" 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_ac4e0fd6-345d-417a-a35b-99b748cb6616" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e1c5b29d-de0c-4918-862c-470e67f649d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e373a1aa-ca08-45aa-b405-9f4778ff1f2c" 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_e1c5b29d-de0c-4918-862c-470e67f649d4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e373a1aa-ca08-45aa-b405-9f4778ff1f2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_6bb407f2-ec07-43f2-99ce-1f1b4559fca8" 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_e1c5b29d-de0c-4918-862c-470e67f649d4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_6bb407f2-ec07-43f2-99ce-1f1b4559fca8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_fb08af55-f18b-4d4b-878a-3c67598a922d" 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_e1c5b29d-de0c-4918-862c-470e67f649d4" xlink:to="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_fb08af55-f18b-4d4b-878a-3c67598a922d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24" 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_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24_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_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_49630610-e56c-47d6-bea4-2de157c6d2e2" 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_60bb5543-93da-4cea-a798-4042514c2d24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_49630610-e56c-47d6-bea4-2de157c6d2e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_4dcee564-5911-4fde-a8b8-7dd53856cec4" 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_49630610-e56c-47d6-bea4-2de157c6d2e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_4dcee564-5911-4fde-a8b8-7dd53856cec4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69" 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_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69_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_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d08dad2a-c1cf-4308-85f2-faf245bd5c54" 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_adde6f5a-5b37-4c0d-82df-ad04fa52fc69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d08dad2a-c1cf-4308-85f2-faf245bd5c54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_1bdd76d8-4a83-47dd-8aa9-d30c9bb8d756" 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_d08dad2a-c1cf-4308-85f2-faf245bd5c54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_1bdd76d8-4a83-47dd-8aa9-d30c9bb8d756" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a" 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_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a_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_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_62ed6ac1-a533-46a4-a4bc-d6555ad39f3f" 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_0ea4cd6f-cceb-4781-a04c-46db329b4d1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_62ed6ac1-a533-46a4-a4bc-d6555ad39f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_4652490d-4900-43fa-a902-50cbf37b3592" 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_62ed6ac1-a533-46a4-a4bc-d6555ad39f3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_4652490d-4900-43fa-a902-50cbf37b3592" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065" 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_a6662914-c898-4f1a-ad2b-5ab460e99d99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065_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_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_673531b0-7d4b-4469-92c3-aace14530f01" 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_818b08a7-d758-428e-b664-94edd00a3065" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_673531b0-7d4b-4469-92c3-aace14530f01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputCommodityForwardPriceMember_25e092a5-5416-4c72-a56a-35b307728eee" 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_673531b0-7d4b-4469-92c3-aace14530f01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputCommodityForwardPriceMember_25e092a5-5416-4c72-a56a-35b307728eee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ForecastAnnualGenerationLevelsOfCertainDGSolarFacilitiesMember_99264831-afab-4efe-b5db-c821adb5c61d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ForecastAnnualGenerationLevelsOfCertainDGSolarFacilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_673531b0-7d4b-4469-92c3-aace14530f01" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ForecastAnnualGenerationLevelsOfCertainDGSolarFacilitiesMember_99264831-afab-4efe-b5db-c821adb5c61d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4efa8b8602ba41d2b6e594ca3567150b_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessLineItems_4412b23d-07fa-4356-92a5-31ca09e344e8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NatureOfBusinessLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PercentOfOtherFinancialInstrumentLiabilitiesUsingLevel3FairValueInputs_d9ccb283-0f9a-4ac1-a9b3-3d3465a26a7b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PercentOfOtherFinancialInstrumentLiabilitiesUsingLevel3FairValueInputs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessLineItems_4412b23d-07fa-4356-92a5-31ca09e344e8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PercentOfOtherFinancialInstrumentLiabilitiesUsingLevel3FairValueInputs_d9ccb283-0f9a-4ac1-a9b3-3d3465a26a7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisValuationTechniquesImpactOfCreditReserveToFairValue_bf5ad4ba-375f-4766-b88b-db115ed2cc68" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisValuationTechniquesImpactOfCreditReserveToFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessLineItems_4412b23d-07fa-4356-92a5-31ca09e344e8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisValuationTechniquesImpactOfCreditReserveToFairValue_bf5ad4ba-375f-4766-b88b-db115ed2cc68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_2fea601e-0068-4109-b1d0-a888f7fc1ab0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessLineItems_4412b23d-07fa-4356-92a5-31ca09e344e8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_2fea601e-0068-4109-b1d0-a888f7fc1ab0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e" 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_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_2fea601e-0068-4109-b1d0-a888f7fc1ab0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e_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_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb4352be-30b3-475e-b764-4708723c680c" 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_e9fc56c8-f66e-4dfe-817f-9c5b3319d28e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cb4352be-30b3-475e-b764-4708723c680c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_782503d4-beaa-4c0f-9bbe-cba23588b16e" 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_cb4352be-30b3-475e-b764-4708723c680c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_782503d4-beaa-4c0f-9bbe-cba23588b16e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd" 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_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_2fea601e-0068-4109-b1d0-a888f7fc1ab0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd_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_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d0147cfe-e702-4d58-b9bd-5ebd11a43fa7" 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_16ab48ab-cc18-468e-8907-4c91ea55debd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d0147cfe-e702-4d58-b9bd-5ebd11a43fa7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_8a190c03-2e7f-4dc0-a8b3-b9f48c2998c6" 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_d0147cfe-e702-4d58-b9bd-5ebd11a43fa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_8a190c03-2e7f-4dc0-a8b3-b9f48c2998c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1" 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_cwen_NatureOfBusinessTable_2fea601e-0068-4109-b1d0-a888f7fc1ab0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1_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_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_2fe5ecbd-e362-408e-9d72-0da545125248" 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_2abe8040-c204-44ed-951c-17d8807b33b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_2fe5ecbd-e362-408e-9d72-0da545125248" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_09b535aa-6e75-45b5-a0a6-d2c2de10ae19" 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_2fe5ecbd-e362-408e-9d72-0da545125248" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_09b535aa-6e75-45b5-a0a6-d2c2de10ae19" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherFinancialInstrumentMember_3e643396-b4df-4aa3-beac-d912901b3a4b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OtherFinancialInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_2fe5ecbd-e362-408e-9d72-0da545125248" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherFinancialInstrumentMember_3e643396-b4df-4aa3-beac-d912901b3a4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumeBuySellofCompanysOpenDerivativeTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumeBuySellofCompanysOpenDerivativeTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumeBuySellofCompanysOpenDerivativeTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic7f9d28bdbab48e2a5291b11d8956d18_AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesVolumeBuySellofCompanysOpenDerivativeTransactionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_35278231-ed0e-49e8-b20b-3f4e998b2883" 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_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountEnergyMeasure_73e4a236-a114-48fe-a802-8e751f6a19d4" 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_DerivativeLineItems_35278231-ed0e-49e8-b20b-3f4e998b2883" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountEnergyMeasure_73e4a236-a114-48fe-a802-8e751f6a19d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_990772fe-b24c-4ecc-930b-46c7d02605fb" 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_DerivativeLineItems_35278231-ed0e-49e8-b20b-3f4e998b2883" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_990772fe-b24c-4ecc-930b-46c7d02605fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_9cdb6cdb-a45b-4ef5-b78c-c46fba8e5c8a" 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_35278231-ed0e-49e8-b20b-3f4e998b2883" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_9cdb6cdb-a45b-4ef5-b78c-c46fba8e5c8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6" 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_DerivativeTable_9cdb6cdb-a45b-4ef5-b78c-c46fba8e5c8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6_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_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_ed1edf4a-0cb1-4637-be1a-f1c20504f4c0" 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_707cf83b-9943-4706-88e1-34f8d00d40e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_ed1edf4a-0cb1-4637-be1a-f1c20504f4c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_d1dd33ca-f117-4f1d-9cb7-22400d9550d9" 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_ed1edf4a-0cb1-4637-be1a-f1c20504f4c0" xlink:to="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_d1dd33ca-f117-4f1d-9cb7-22400d9550d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerMember_fb631d17-c68a-4859-82c8-a138b5457932" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_ed1edf4a-0cb1-4637-be1a-f1c20504f4c0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerMember_fb631d17-c68a-4859-82c8-a138b5457932" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestMember_757bac49-19a1-4c97-b200-29241ed37d65" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_ed1edf4a-0cb1-4637-be1a-f1c20504f4c0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestMember_757bac49-19a1-4c97-b200-29241ed37d65" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i862093c835584793b2396ee66035c85d_AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesFVofDerivativesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_1a46c287-b9e2-49ab-995d-0078614fabde" 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_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_6168b63f-e8e0-4643-8c47-dbeda7bad0da" 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_DerivativeLineItems_1a46c287-b9e2-49ab-995d-0078614fabde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_6168b63f-e8e0-4643-8c47-dbeda7bad0da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_ff39b8de-27b9-4224-ac71-fbbec7ff89af" 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_DerivativeLineItems_1a46c287-b9e2-49ab-995d-0078614fabde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_ff39b8de-27b9-4224-ac71-fbbec7ff89af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_f959c30c-ee3a-4c4f-be6b-1e3986b5bde3" 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_1a46c287-b9e2-49ab-995d-0078614fabde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_f959c30c-ee3a-4c4f-be6b-1e3986b5bde3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf" 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_DerivativeTable_f959c30c-ee3a-4c4f-be6b-1e3986b5bde3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf_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_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" 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_d9284515-426a-496e-8ae7-359e314f75bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember_0146a84d-9688-404d-9438-7021dc02ba71" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractCurrentMember_0146a84d-9688-404d-9438-7021dc02ba71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember_c063cc8c-551d-42a4-bc22-0422e70ad992" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InterestRateContractNonCurrentMember_c063cc8c-551d-42a4-bc22-0422e70ad992" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember_c0366bca-f6a1-4940-ab72-2cfa11c8a559" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommodityContractCurrentMember_c0366bca-f6a1-4940-ab72-2cfa11c8a559" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember_6b2b46e7-14bf-4161-959f-ff6f8256ad7a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec08345-4367-4535-9dbf-d00925c09f1f" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommodityContractLongTermMember_6b2b46e7-14bf-4161-959f-ff6f8256ad7a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7" 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_DerivativeTable_f959c30c-ee3a-4c4f-be6b-1e3986b5bde3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7_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_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_dbd7d31d-b635-4e23-b2ee-4b78449ee41e" 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_d9a4d131-0106-4642-af8e-f3d1822084f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_dbd7d31d-b635-4e23-b2ee-4b78449ee41e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_f13965f3-6ec2-4fcc-add3-01eb9831b9be" 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_dbd7d31d-b635-4e23-b2ee-4b78449ee41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_f13965f3-6ec2-4fcc-add3-01eb9831b9be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_4e723b64-40b5-4dbc-a551-abd6a87a810f" 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_dbd7d31d-b635-4e23-b2ee-4b78449ee41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_4e723b64-40b5-4dbc-a551-abd6a87a810f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesOffsettingDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesOffsettingDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesOffsettingDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0ada18ee10e2459da0da4745a6b01103_AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesOffsettingDerivativesbyCounterpartyMasterAgreementLevelDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" 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_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_18c95a98-8908-4194-8a25-ebdd3c3dcca0" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_18c95a98-8908-4194-8a25-ebdd3c3dcca0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_ab616241-fa0a-43d0-a4db-f18fae310524" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_ab616241-fa0a-43d0-a4db-f18fae310524" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_90a0199a-4cb7-4176-85b5-9f04a62ecdd0" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_90a0199a-4cb7-4176-85b5-9f04a62ecdd0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_3f592f59-c0d4-49dd-ae57-8f66f3b47f01" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_3f592f59-c0d4-49dd-ae57-8f66f3b47f01" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_fa02d76f-4eac-45c2-82d6-5038f85ba685" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_fa02d76f-4eac-45c2-82d6-5038f85ba685" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_b3f3fbce-6c4e-4581-a9a3-e3364b12deff" 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_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_b3f3fbce-6c4e-4581-a9a3-e3364b12deff" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet_bcc8555e-7d53-42ba-b6be-edb16e03c972" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_FairValueofGrossDerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesNet_bcc8555e-7d53-42ba-b6be-edb16e03c972" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_40fb5d62-38f4-47b4-8afa-27812897a8bc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_40fb5d62-38f4-47b4-8afa-27812897a8bc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_b8db3388-5475-456b-a67b-0c662e5a5f4c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralNetOfDerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_b8db3388-5475-456b-a67b-0c662e5a5f4c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_e61c2b83-88e1-4e04-b573-de0f409a5403" 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_0e74e104-1688-4d25-8adb-e3156a53e83d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_e61c2b83-88e1-4e04-b573-de0f409a5403" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3" 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_DerivativeTable_e61c2b83-88e1-4e04-b573-de0f409a5403" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3_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_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_288f51c9-7e83-4374-a663-b68088f9be79" 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_2ec5ece2-4bde-4fec-90fd-470e47639ff3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_288f51c9-7e83-4374-a663-b68088f9be79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_1ff891e9-248e-453a-9103-8a12aeaab7e8" 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_288f51c9-7e83-4374-a663-b68088f9be79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommodityContractMember_1ff891e9-248e-453a-9103-8a12aeaab7e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_4fa69680-4e2c-4bf8-9f1b-4c3b4f51c5c3" 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_288f51c9-7e83-4374-a663-b68088f9be79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_4fa69680-4e2c-4bf8-9f1b-4c3b4f51c5c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifd6367e5fdf24dac877f5f4b4bd076f0_AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesAOCIDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward_9f3f9263-69e8-4d3e-9b34-da7d9a044569" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward_9f3f9263-69e8-4d3e-9b34-da7d9a044569" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_4c5be526-1480-4048-9abb-4ac8b690064f" 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_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward_9f3f9263-69e8-4d3e-9b34-da7d9a044569" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_4c5be526-1480-4048-9abb-4ac8b690064f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_e70475af-6396-4ef7-870c-00f1bab7e097" 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_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward_9f3f9263-69e8-4d3e-9b34-da7d9a044569" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_e70475af-6396-4ef7-870c-00f1bab7e097" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_3c97e6dd-22ac-4475-9bca-ed0f16358ba4" 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_TranslationAdjustmentForNetInvestmentHedgeRollForward_9f3f9263-69e8-4d3e-9b34-da7d9a044569" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_3c97e6dd-22ac-4475-9bca-ed0f16358ba4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_ee6ab335-8631-4da1-93be-dfb57fe65efc" 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_a4e285c7-bb09-44a0-b089-5826e8a65a26" 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_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_a4e285c7-bb09-44a0-b089-5826e8a65a26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_89e5f8a2-17b0-4bc3-80e8-b1753167166c" 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_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_89e5f8a2-17b0-4bc3-80e8-b1753167166c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangeInGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesTaxAmount_d0742ce0-e28a-4ca3-9b40-f8e2ee76b080" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangeInGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesTaxAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangeInGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesTaxAmount_d0742ce0-e28a-4ca3-9b40-f8e2ee76b080" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonthsTax_37ee5f34-0482-4e09-bf50-e4e37e5ba66e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonthsTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonthsTax_37ee5f34-0482-4e09-bf50-e4e37e5ba66e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_1cc62167-94e3-4e7b-8152-4ca69034a622" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_48e72da5-24c3-4514-8c90-7279b160868b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_1cc62167-94e3-4e7b-8152-4ca69034a622" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8" 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_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_1cc62167-94e3-4e7b-8152-4ca69034a622" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8_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_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" 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_6790dba1-3ac7-4d67-a8d5-355fcac4b5f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_fdf4b2bd-4209-47ac-8035-488000e458ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_fdf4b2bd-4209-47ac-8035-488000e458ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_972595f4-a7b7-4ea5-a35e-fd32be049977" 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_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_972595f4-a7b7-4ea5-a35e-fd32be049977" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_78500752-f3cd-490a-bcee-0fb000d3fa5d" 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_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_78500752-f3cd-490a-bcee-0fb000d3fa5d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0d5cb0b2-404b-4ac4-aa50-4f2302d8fde3" 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_12eaf809-ab1d-4c01-81ab-9680d52ee220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0d5cb0b2-404b-4ac4-aa50-4f2302d8fde3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactofStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactofStatementofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactofStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6c0e031b09a04ef2b76dce68585b9bea_AccountingforDerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesImpactofStatementofOperationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_b6ac7e0e-2ad9-4868-90ac-d73dd567296a" 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_af703ab1-51a5-4bdf-b1e0-a099cc4be472" 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_b6ac7e0e-2ad9-4868-90ac-d73dd567296a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_af703ab1-51a5-4bdf-b1e0-a099cc4be472" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_48834374-e024-474f-a602-0c7fc256039c" 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_b6ac7e0e-2ad9-4868-90ac-d73dd567296a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_48834374-e024-474f-a602-0c7fc256039c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577" 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_48834374-e024-474f-a602-0c7fc256039c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577_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_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ca3ba17b-2c69-43fa-be01-7c4bac7ac1df" 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_b1a89c58-0195-4c08-89c6-7a179f77d577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ca3ba17b-2c69-43fa-be01-7c4bac7ac1df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_67a0ce10-6be2-45be-be02-c68a91b177fa" 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_ca3ba17b-2c69-43fa-be01-7c4bac7ac1df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_67a0ce10-6be2-45be-be02-c68a91b177fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_3d4df597-b66b-4d21-ad2c-93d58ce8980e" 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_ca3ba17b-2c69-43fa-be01-7c4bac7ac1df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnergyRelatedDerivativeMember_3d4df597-b66b-4d21-ad2c-93d58ce8980e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/IntangibleAssetsComponentsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#IntangibleAssetsComponentsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/IntangibleAssetsComponentsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i05f9ace2b6e343e4a779b80d3084dfdd_IntangibleAssetsComponentsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e2a5ae40-25ae-40a3-bf30-029fd86acd34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_96cff22c-a039-4cf7-b9dc-99532c4343bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e2a5ae40-25ae-40a3-bf30-029fd86acd34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_96cff22c-a039-4cf7-b9dc-99532c4343bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_45bf6fec-9644-42d3-a5b9-11713d5262f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_96cff22c-a039-4cf7-b9dc-99532c4343bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_45bf6fec-9644-42d3-a5b9-11713d5262f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_46d88034-d4ae-480e-8ea0-bb3e7336a50a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_96cff22c-a039-4cf7-b9dc-99532c4343bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_46d88034-d4ae-480e-8ea0-bb3e7336a50a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_1f474508-a0be-4445-9b14-c9daa8b22415" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_b3382ed4-1809-4e2f-9b71-cf57654bebbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e2a5ae40-25ae-40a3-bf30-029fd86acd34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_b3382ed4-1809-4e2f-9b71-cf57654bebbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_330384a3-3ebe-4d64-9737-4f3cb52024c7" 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_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e2a5ae40-25ae-40a3-bf30-029fd86acd34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_330384a3-3ebe-4d64-9737-4f3cb52024c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_1730f671-29f3-4c79-a7bd-f7cb52e50613" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e2a5ae40-25ae-40a3-bf30-029fd86acd34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_1730f671-29f3-4c79-a7bd-f7cb52e50613" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_1730f671-29f3-4c79-a7bd-f7cb52e50613" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_a724edbe-5330-4753-8aab-66d3c0f9e4d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PPAsMember_93548715-1acc-424e-9a32-bbb61c4e591f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PPAsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PPAsMember_93548715-1acc-424e-9a32-bbb61c4e591f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LeaseholdRightsMember_48436afc-bab9-4d47-b8ea-dbb06b8d1788" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LeaseholdRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LeaseholdRightsMember_48436afc-bab9-4d47-b8ea-dbb06b8d1788" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_0ce7a528-2911-409a-ac18-4137f319498f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_0ce7a528-2911-409a-ac18-4137f319498f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_a09e2ac0-3e4d-4cfc-97bd-16e686f357ac" 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_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_a09e2ac0-3e4d-4cfc-97bd-16e686f357ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EmissionAllowancesMember_e6caf1f7-4072-4f86-a5ad-990bba779900" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EmissionAllowancesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EmissionAllowancesMember_e6caf1f7-4072-4f86-a5ad-990bba779900" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_94435e52-98c7-4d13-b3a4-0fd0c9040005" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c2ef6894-d183-4e12-9edf-e323b1f83434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_94435e52-98c7-4d13-b3a4-0fd0c9040005" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_1730f671-29f3-4c79-a7bd-f7cb52e50613" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1103760a-cbce-4b87-a7c7-71706b3c700c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7e37ba5c-36b3-4d1d-8843-b9a7ee8841c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1103760a-cbce-4b87-a7c7-71706b3c700c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldcoEntitiesMember_3c50c02b-5147-422c-b298-bcbb517d321e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPVHoldcoEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1103760a-cbce-4b87-a7c7-71706b3c700c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPVHoldcoEntitiesMember_3c50c02b-5147-422c-b298-bcbb517d321e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ReclassifiedToHeldForSaleMember_5502e523-03d2-46bf-a61d-88e1062db967" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ReclassifiedToHeldForSaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1103760a-cbce-4b87-a7c7-71706b3c700c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ReclassifiedToHeldForSaleMember_5502e523-03d2-46bf-a61d-88e1062db967" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherAcquisitionsMember_baefba7a-b1d2-4365-b8cb-9ab356a01d39" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OtherAcquisitionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1103760a-cbce-4b87-a7c7-71706b3c700c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherAcquisitionsMember_baefba7a-b1d2-4365-b8cb-9ab356a01d39" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/AssetImpairmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#AssetImpairmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/AssetImpairmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i961585ca389f44e7b1a7b8e18fad18cf_AssetImpairmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedLineItems_28475ce4-5b9a-4ed2-948e-9b2b808a12dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_b3a10fa2-f7aa-413d-aa76-4ae260c093ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedLineItems_28475ce4-5b9a-4ed2-948e-9b2b808a12dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_b3a10fa2-f7aa-413d-aa76-4ae260c093ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_b6790a37-c4b0-440a-8cbb-98e79631df63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedLineItems_28475ce4-5b9a-4ed2-948e-9b2b808a12dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_b6790a37-c4b0-440a-8cbb-98e79631df63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedTable_23c039e1-8c78-4323-99c2-294b6bd09013" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedLineItems_28475ce4-5b9a-4ed2-948e-9b2b808a12dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedTable_23c039e1-8c78-4323-99c2-294b6bd09013" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f" 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_ScheduleOfImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedTable_23c039e1-8c78-4323-99c2-294b6bd09013" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f_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_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed973126-15df-4b32-926c-a503128e3805" 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_50303abd-feef-497b-889e-5dded69cf24f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed973126-15df-4b32-926c-a503128e3805" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_97020800-2317-4617-8da0-c8558e81af08" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed973126-15df-4b32-926c-a503128e3805" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_97020800-2317-4617-8da0-c8558e81af08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_0a4966d7-2d31-40f4-9ffc-804537d7f7da" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed973126-15df-4b32-926c-a503128e3805" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_0a4966d7-2d31-40f4-9ffc-804537d7f7da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e" 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_ScheduleOfImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedTable_23c039e1-8c78-4323-99c2-294b6bd09013" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e_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_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_ae97cad6-102a-4bbc-9465-b920d4c6018c" 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_d2d97238-bebe-414c-8d80-657da10be86e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_ae97cad6-102a-4bbc-9465-b920d4c6018c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_ff187436-842f-4e0c-9072-63e251d86bc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_ae97cad6-102a-4bbc-9465-b920d4c6018c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_ff187436-842f-4e0c-9072-63e251d86bc0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtShortandLongtermBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LongtermDebtShortandLongtermBorrowingsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtShortandLongtermBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8cdcbc76ac3548969cb710e69e375fde_LongtermDebtShortandLongtermBorrowingsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" 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_4e8fb5c5-47db-4767-8d82-5bd6e368449d" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_4e8fb5c5-47db-4767-8d82-5bd6e368449d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_ea5fb4d2-bbb5-4231-8a46-237e9c7ea401" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_ea5fb4d2-bbb5-4231-8a46-237e9c7ea401" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_bc17ea61-6fa2-437f-b28c-e445868bbd3c" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_bc17ea61-6fa2-437f-b28c-e445868bbd3c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_6b5c50b6-225b-4e20-8c73-27eee36346f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_6b5c50b6-225b-4e20-8c73-27eee36346f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2bf93d62-03a5-43ee-acf1-2cdaee072959" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2bf93d62-03a5-43ee-acf1-2cdaee072959" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7079cc94-51f5-4e13-ae10-016e51af5a4c" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7079cc94-51f5-4e13-ae10-016e51af5a4c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_33f1068b-ff0c-48a2-acc7-cb53d31ff5d4" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_33f1068b-ff0c-48a2-acc7-cb53d31ff5d4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_99206889-b048-4cc3-b0f3-777064f81774" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_99206889-b048-4cc3-b0f3-777064f81774" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" 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_fea663d3-ece0-46e4-88cb-a9877bbf5b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d" 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_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d_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_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_679dbb0a-daae-4947-821c-08de0cd27683" 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_02c50157-c725-438a-a3af-df79655a376d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_679dbb0a-daae-4947-821c-08de0cd27683" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_81ffc4f3-81b6-4fcb-932c-c460add1f213" 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_679dbb0a-daae-4947-821c-08de0cd27683" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_81ffc4f3-81b6-4fcb-932c-c460add1f213" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_eaa94eeb-c906-40e6-9a62-1be86d41acda" 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_679dbb0a-daae-4947-821c-08de0cd27683" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_eaa94eeb-c906-40e6-9a62-1be86d41acda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf" 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_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf_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_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6261ef8c-573a-4956-823a-4cecc46e2fff" 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_1fb5e3f7-42a3-4ad8-b530-c75cbb525acf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6261ef8c-573a-4956-823a-4cecc46e2fff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_8900987a-91f3-463b-8c21-6ea5ac73736e" 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_6261ef8c-573a-4956-823a-4cecc46e2fff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_8900987a-91f3-463b-8c21-6ea5ac73736e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f" 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_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f_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_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" 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_bf8cf1a0-0db2-4c0c-a960-e6ccf09ea87f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member_f3347bf4-a92f-4335-8151-dda56afc76e0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member_f3347bf4-a92f-4335-8151-dda56afc76e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member_ac005e83-885f-49a1-8808-a2b39143c620" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member_ac005e83-885f-49a1-8808-a2b39143c620" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2028Member_ff73efb2-d61a-43b3-9f53-2d058994de79" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2028Member_ff73efb2-d61a-43b3-9f53-2d058994de79" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_1bb46934-de29-4047-959d-6bf82a7a9892" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_1bb46934-de29-4047-959d-6bf82a7a9892" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_c797bc20-92aa-4465-a43d-c64774d5ffef" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_c797bc20-92aa-4465-a43d-c64774d5ffef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_55f57d26-ce72-462c-ad6e-a55f51c30018" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_55f57d26-ce72-462c-ad6e-a55f51c30018" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_1ea118df-2e8b-45dd-934f-6eb815ccd955" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_1ea118df-2e8b-45dd-934f-6eb815ccd955" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member_aca26b3c-0473-484a-9921-435d7b813981" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCDue2037Member_aca26b3c-0473-484a-9921-435d7b813981" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member_0e3a10e0-580e-4f1b-b3d7-5d5419a4136e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaWindAssetManagementLLCDue2031Member_0e3a10e0-580e-4f1b-b3d7-5d5419a4136e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member_794aede0-28e3-406e-ab1b-f6bd8676be9c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaWindIVleasefinancingarrangementdue2034and2035Member_794aede0-28e3-406e-ab1b-f6bd8676be9c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AltaRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member_dedcd383-2af9-482d-a192-841753244b95" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AltaRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AltaRealtyInvestmentsLLCDue2031Member_dedcd383-2af9-482d-a192-841753244b95" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BorregoDue2034And2035Member_d34c1b68-00b8-494b-80e3-611c6c7e5fb5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BorregoDue2034And2035Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BorregoDue2034And2035Member_d34c1b68-00b8-494b-80e3-611c6c7e5fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member_1fda41bc-1ee2-473c-9efd-81eabd12b501" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolardue2025Member_1fda41bc-1ee2-473c-9efd-81eabd12b501" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member_325c605f-cca6-4d03-8764-adbc26eef1dd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadEnergyHoldingsLLCDue2027Member_325c605f-cca6-4d03-8764-adbc26eef1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member_bb6ba292-6fe0-432d-b0fc-7e59c5ab56a2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member_bb6ba292-6fe0-432d-b0fc-7e59c5ab56a2" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member_307a6f20-a99a-48e4-bea2-cc0d2762d9c9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoDue2038Member_307a6f20-a99a-48e4-bea2-cc0d2762d9c9" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember_4f36a9eb-8a77-4f7f-a208-c3997e8d8cc1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CvsrFinancingAgreementMember_4f36a9eb-8a77-4f7f-a208-c3997e8d8cc1" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member_b2421513-75fd-4be5-87a8-093f70244425" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CVSRHoldcodue2037Member_b2421513-75fd-4be5-87a8-093f70244425" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLC2040Member_a543259d-a09b-4e83-89e9-af3d519b8aa2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLC2040Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLC2040Member_a543259d-a09b-4e83-89e9-af3d519b8aa2" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member_50a26c12-1134-4c43-9e28-bc65eefca6a2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member_50a26c12-1134-4c43-9e28-bc65eefca6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member_97df0d6d-88a2-43ca-8ee5-cf1f163c73f2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElSegundoEnergyCenterdue2023Member_97df0d6d-88a2-43ca-8ee5-cf1f163c73f2" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EnergyCenterMinneapolisSeriesDEFGHNotesMember_d4a7cbf3-a2ed-440f-8754-d208b9c6070b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EnergyCenterMinneapolisSeriesDEFGHNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EnergyCenterMinneapolisSeriesDEFGHNotesMember_d4a7cbf3-a2ed-440f-8754-d208b9c6070b" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_21ae5335-27fb-4938-861a-9eb2bf158dfc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_21ae5335-27fb-4938-861a-9eb2bf158dfc" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member_88794de3-707b-444e-8318-8d62652de256" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeWindLLCDueIn2028Member_88794de3-707b-444e-8318-8d62652de256" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember_e24cab90-e38d-41ab-8ac0-f0673b8692c7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MarshLandingTermLoanFacilityMember_e24cab90-e38d-41ab-8ac0-f0673b8692c7" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member_64103d66-eda8-4f6a-91ed-46c84f80c609" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarDue2024Member_64103d66-eda8-4f6a-91ed-46c84f80c609" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_177e6c5d-eaa4-40f6-8cef-851f65ccd0f8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_177e6c5d-eaa4-40f6-8cef-851f65ccd0f8" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member_69c2edd8-3307-47ae-8edd-e16887b732d6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLCDue2027Member_69c2edd8-3307-47ae-8edd-e16887b732d6" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_6786c5de-d966-4053-af24-1fca31c889f4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_6786c5de-d966-4053-af24-1fca31c889f4" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_c01023e0-9d31-466c-9819-4b478da697c9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_c01023e0-9d31-466c-9819-4b478da697c9" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member_d414dce4-419a-4af3-8108-e62e796ce104" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekEnergyLLCduein2023Member_d414dce4-419a-4af3-8108-e62e796ce104" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member_15d3498e-35da-4670-8aa9-871d9479f11a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsLLCDue2023Member_15d3498e-35da-4670-8aa9-871d9479f11a" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OtherDebtMember_0c4bfb21-f6f6-465a-aed4-bad84866ce1b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OtherDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OtherDebtMember_0c4bfb21-f6f6-465a-aed4-bad84866ce1b" xlink:type="arc" order="32"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_8ef71458-0e9b-4089-bba6-3c6873a2f2f4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3788fc71-d668-42d3-91c3-ad170b2ff455" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_8ef71458-0e9b-4089-bba6-3c6873a2f2f4" xlink:type="arc" order="33"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0" 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_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0_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_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9d3f6b90-450d-4e82-b8ad-d0b55ad38697" 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_25d4368b-4615-4c64-a006-4e19b0707df0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9d3f6b90-450d-4e82-b8ad-d0b55ad38697" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_64f44bc0-63ee-478e-9355-ea0d6fc6f1ea" 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_9d3f6b90-450d-4e82-b8ad-d0b55ad38697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_64f44bc0-63ee-478e-9355-ea0d6fc6f1ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_0287b155-8427-40ca-8d58-b2fe62f69e9f" 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_9d3f6b90-450d-4e82-b8ad-d0b55ad38697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_0287b155-8427-40ca-8d58-b2fe62f69e9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_ce973a11-cf7a-460f-b2f2-5d57a0d95a22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9d3f6b90-450d-4e82-b8ad-d0b55ad38697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_ce973a11-cf7a-460f-b2f2-5d57a0d95a22" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f" 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_58bad4a8-1b3c-432f-bb2a-b02e6f64147b" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f_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_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1beac8d1-6573-4d09-98d1-35b5eb7c00d7" 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_8d1c130a-8090-4cee-ab98-b22d1006375f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1beac8d1-6573-4d09-98d1-35b5eb7c00d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_a77e35d2-399f-4862-aba2-60266e0c7027" 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_1beac8d1-6573-4d09-98d1-35b5eb7c00d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_a77e35d2-399f-4862-aba2-60266e0c7027" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9083f7cc5bb34131bab1d69a9020d328_LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" 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_8908e42c-8a9f-4c1b-ae7e-0adf83b493da" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_8908e42c-8a9f-4c1b-ae7e-0adf83b493da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d223108-9919-4682-9cca-5a6a0145ae21" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d223108-9919-4682-9cca-5a6a0145ae21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementLeverageRatio_d7717f4c-ac5d-429b-9fbb-11a6c7237779" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementLeverageRatio_d7717f4c-ac5d-429b-9fbb-11a6c7237779" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementCollateralAmount_5b10ae7a-4631-44d4-9347-4ac2a3123d3a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementCollateralAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementCollateralAmount_5b10ae7a-4631-44d4-9347-4ac2a3123d3a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementBorrowerLeverageRatio_ae735156-566a-4018-8076-9ccd1b0caab3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementBorrowerLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementBorrowerLeverageRatio_ae735156-566a-4018-8076-9ccd1b0caab3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantBorrowerInterestCoverageRatio_d8dec70c-45c1-43a9-bf4e-93e7b214b6a5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantBorrowerInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentCovenantBorrowerInterestCoverageRatio_d8dec70c-45c1-43a9-bf4e-93e7b214b6a5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_63bb102a-a144-4871-91ed-6340341127ef" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_63bb102a-a144-4871-91ed-6340341127ef" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_4b2edc23-448a-43b9-af7c-f54ec290c32b" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_4b2edc23-448a-43b9-af7c-f54ec290c32b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_93257846-b58d-48b5-801d-fb16ae1dc9ae" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_93257846-b58d-48b5-801d-fb16ae1dc9ae" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_8ceb473f-49d1-49f1-b9f7-6ad7320cef87" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_8ceb473f-49d1-49f1-b9f7-6ad7320cef87" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateNoncurrent_5712e211-6fd7-4aa2-ade8-7a6b0acfb4d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueToAffiliateNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateNoncurrent_5712e211-6fd7-4aa2-ade8-7a6b0acfb4d7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_ed75576f-4041-49b9-b0f0-fe518ec897a7" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_ed75576f-4041-49b9-b0f0-fe518ec897a7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_9ab1323f-4dd1-45d7-98b8-a9b1c997266a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount_9ab1323f-4dd1-45d7-98b8-a9b1c997266a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmountOptionallyExercisedRemainingPrincipalNotValidlyTenderedAndPurchasedInTenderOffer_24c8c7d8-83bf-4b61-8fd1-679b5caac9c0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmountOptionallyExercisedRemainingPrincipalNotValidlyTenderedAndPurchasedInTenderOffer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmountOptionallyExercisedRemainingPrincipalNotValidlyTenderedAndPurchasedInTenderOffer_24c8c7d8-83bf-4b61-8fd1-679b5caac9c0" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_c0fb5ed8-6462-4c3d-8d98-cef416dc4158" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_c0fb5ed8-6462-4c3d-8d98-cef416dc4158" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount_77263910-9eb9-42e2-bc91-6aa005f11877" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount_77263910-9eb9-42e2-bc91-6aa005f11877" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_5bc5a200-9a48-404d-883e-4cc1602e4e22" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_5bc5a200-9a48-404d-883e-4cc1602e4e22" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt_1b84aedd-9a77-4227-81a2-3e9643f58018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt_1b84aedd-9a77-4227-81a2-3e9643f58018" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_a9d2f509-42c3-459b-9720-40cdb4aa0219" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_a9d2f509-42c3-459b-9720-40cdb4aa0219" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDeferredFinancingFees_4c39d87d-b8d1-48f6-86bc-fcdec58d7c45" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDeferredFinancingFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDeferredFinancingFees_4c39d87d-b8d1-48f6-86bc-fcdec58d7c45" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_39b82792-d5b1-4e4e-acdd-7812e644b4be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_39b82792-d5b1-4e4e-acdd-7812e644b4be" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_ac39c4a2-5563-4d79-a594-ea665edc8e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_ac39c4a2-5563-4d79-a594-ea665edc8e94" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_e9560308-2fc9-4e5e-b506-b423022c5301" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_e9560308-2fc9-4e5e-b506-b423022c5301" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_d0897a75-bee4-4238-96de-ae665b1e0e21" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_d0897a75-bee4-4238-96de-ae665b1e0e21" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_79d0a478-66f2-4f94-bd7d-e3bae3f614d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_79d0a478-66f2-4f94-bd7d-e3bae3f614d5" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_bc5b2288-e7c8-4114-9333-2d349299e5d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_bc5b2288-e7c8-4114-9333-2d349299e5d9" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_522ae321-6162-4a52-8133-c78622bdee38" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_522ae321-6162-4a52-8133-c78622bdee38" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_dfa94cf1-6b5b-4260-8007-15c2c93bafbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_dfa94cf1-6b5b-4260-8007-15c2c93bafbf" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_561acc68-de29-4774-8012-dabfafdcd80f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_561acc68-de29-4774-8012-dabfafdcd80f" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" 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_7c7984f4-d0bd-4975-abf4-ee63b5c750b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0_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_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" 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_7c76a6a9-b4af-495d-8702-08244ffd32f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member_2920d67c-7f28-435c-9b5f-fe6a5af1fd75" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RepoweringPartnershipHoldcoLLCdue2020Member_2920d67c-7f28-435c-9b5f-fe6a5af1fd75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CS4BorrowerMember_309dd4ed-b6c9-48ad-8c82-1b4b41bb08ec" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CS4BorrowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CS4BorrowerMember_309dd4ed-b6c9-48ad-8c82-1b4b41bb08ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerCreditAgreementMember_07a47607-6051-4241-a01e-fe3e952dae8c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ChestnutBorrowerCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerCreditAgreementMember_07a47607-6051-4241-a01e-fe3e952dae8c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCFinancingArrangementMember_0622fc5d-65da-4f0b-9fef-d0c72bdd0624" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCFinancingArrangementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCFinancingArrangementMember_0622fc5d-65da-4f0b-9fef-d0c72bdd0624" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember_8ea347f2-89eb-4f4e-9495-ce08620caded" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember_8ea347f2-89eb-4f4e-9495-ce08620caded" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewSolarCS4BorrowerLLCMember_f7c81c2b-4343-4079-82ce-ed35f9dcc35a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewSolarCS4BorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewSolarCS4BorrowerLLCMember_f7c81c2b-4343-4079-82ce-ed35f9dcc35a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGPV4BorrowerLLCMember_239ac8da-ae48-4074-a43b-6d21fc91cecd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGPV4BorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGPV4BorrowerLLCMember_239ac8da-ae48-4074-a43b-6d21fc91cecd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PumaClassBLLCMember_c54d4a41-ad74-4187-96e5-eaaf22de95c3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PumaClassBLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PumaClassBLLCMember_c54d4a41-ad74-4187-96e5-eaaf22de95c3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_1a16f327-f42d-4d8c-89cc-da645cf44179" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsDue2036Member_1a16f327-f42d-4d8c-89cc-da645cf44179" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCFinancingArrangementMember_445b5ea1-35cb-42f1-bd75-9fc70e6cbfb8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NIMHSolarLLCFinancingArrangementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCFinancingArrangementMember_445b5ea1-35cb-42f1-bd75-9fc70e6cbfb8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_ab92d66e-03fa-4778-81b3-40a45855605b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ProjectLevelDebtMember_ab92d66e-03fa-4778-81b3-40a45855605b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member_7d87a71e-9abe-4711-a212-695db20b3ceb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DuquesneDue2059Member_7d87a71e-9abe-4711-a212-695db20b3ceb" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_de6f7d8a-c068-43e7-8c5a-819e930f11ae" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_de6f7d8a-c068-43e7-8c5a-819e930f11ae" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_d8d70b72-c71b-4884-ae55-fdc8625c15a8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_d8d70b72-c71b-4884-ae55-fdc8625c15a8" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_7c7d0076-3198-411d-a27c-4035d9f29ff3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_7c7d0076-3198-411d-a27c-4035d9f29ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_3630f2ff-0f7f-4245-a310-02f1d9fcd2ca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_3630f2ff-0f7f-4245-a310-02f1d9fcd2ca" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_61ed963d-ea79-4454-bf9c-980e3ccc6094" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TapestryWindLLCduein2031Member_61ed963d-ea79-4454-bf9c-980e3ccc6094" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member_0473e789-1c4a-4a12-8116-9a2c6d794e3b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadHoldcoNotes2038Member_0473e789-1c4a-4a12-8116-9a2c6d794e3b" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member_9ae632e8-c85a-40d2-bf1b-f9b3944af019" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member_9ae632e8-c85a-40d2-bf1b-f9b3944af019" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCConstructionLoanMember_0d2f5a1f-9cd7-47ae-870d-d201ed033ef5" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCConstructionLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieTargetCoLLCConstructionLoanMember_0d2f5a1f-9cd7-47ae-870d-d201ed033ef5" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_d2bea9df-70dc-4030-b46a-e0c87af587e3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BridgeLoanDue2022Member_d2bea9df-70dc-4030-b46a-e0c87af587e3" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_29a53cf2-24d9-404d-9b4a-7e0f6d22a740" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_29a53cf2-24d9-404d-9b4a-7e0f6d22a740" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_4af61a86-ae81-4b5a-aad5-72e3df790a8a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCAndClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_4af61a86-ae81-4b5a-aad5-72e3df790a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A3.25ConvertibleNotesdue2020Member_1d45e483-a813-4f91-aa9e-7d9e6620572d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A3.25ConvertibleNotesdue2020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A3.25ConvertibleNotesdue2020Member_1d45e483-a813-4f91-aa9e-7d9e6620572d" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A475SeniorNotesDueIn2028Member_5d3f9556-1fd9-47a2-8e22-e2af2559eb84" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A475SeniorNotesDueIn2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A475SeniorNotesDueIn2028Member_5d3f9556-1fd9-47a2-8e22-e2af2559eb84" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A5.375SeniorNotesduein2024Member_f56b971b-46ef-40d7-bb1d-aaa6c8d60005" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A5.375SeniorNotesduein2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A5.375SeniorNotesduein2024Member_f56b971b-46ef-40d7-bb1d-aaa6c8d60005" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_f4a3df9c-6d94-4f84-a714-e68fe6584cf8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PinnacleRepoweringPartnershipHoldCoLLCMember_f4a3df9c-6d94-4f84-a714-e68fe6584cf8" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_c9b26a68-9735-4087-b6ed-db52a4753cc6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2032Member_c9b26a68-9735-4087-b6ed-db52a4753cc6" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member_b35d6424-8fcf-4321-bed1-ce5d358890f9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A5.00SeniorNotesduein2026Member_b35d6424-8fcf-4321-bed1-ce5d358890f9" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_61b1ad03-6fcf-4788-bca7-e6199cf1adca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SeniorNotes3Point750PercentDue2031Member_61b1ad03-6fcf-4788-bca7-e6199cf1adca" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member_68ac6c6c-edf0-4f08-9a23-e0e3ff0c7bd7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A5.75SeniorNotesdue2025Member_68ac6c6c-edf0-4f08-9a23-e0e3ff0c7bd7" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCNonrecourseCreditAgreementFederalFinancingBankDue2037Member_0ff082d0-a88a-48e6-a00f-b874d3d01419" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCNonrecourseCreditAgreementFederalFinancingBankDue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_427b3422-6769-47f8-a99d-8145f0035d04" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AguaCalienteSolarLLCNonrecourseCreditAgreementFederalFinancingBankDue2037Member_0ff082d0-a88a-48e6-a00f-b874d3d01419" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_255d264f-06a8-437e-998e-f90d013f7fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_16703416-d412-4b21-b134-16a8fa167719" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_255d264f-06a8-437e-998e-f90d013f7fc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayableMember_34f50137-d9a4-48cf-a7ff-fa9c04233404" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_255d264f-06a8-437e-998e-f90d013f7fc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayableMember_34f50137-d9a4-48cf-a7ff-fa9c04233404" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326_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_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_512fdde4-9574-44ab-9e7d-0aa556fbee5c" 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_46bc8c22-faee-4585-a6db-7138238fc326" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_512fdde4-9574-44ab-9e7d-0aa556fbee5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_d5750216-3d6e-4585-8e03-d9bd92514b0b" 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_512fdde4-9574-44ab-9e7d-0aa556fbee5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_d5750216-3d6e-4585-8e03-d9bd92514b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_2502ead1-677a-4773-9a53-151b16d724db" 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_512fdde4-9574-44ab-9e7d-0aa556fbee5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_2502ead1-677a-4773-9a53-151b16d724db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_e0681172-a7e6-4846-a6d1-a8ae31d494e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_512fdde4-9574-44ab-9e7d-0aa556fbee5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_e0681172-a7e6-4846-a6d1-a8ae31d494e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8_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_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_b19d94ea-302f-4005-9ff6-42276271c40b" 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_829b4fba-db03-4701-9683-245cb84449b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_b19d94ea-302f-4005-9ff6-42276271c40b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_9d266a4d-a679-4bc0-a58b-60a25dc09d36" 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_b19d94ea-302f-4005-9ff6-42276271c40b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_9d266a4d-a679-4bc0-a58b-60a25dc09d36" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5_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_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" 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_ab56c16b-103c-4756-8049-8821eb4143a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_a637572a-ce43-444b-8329-e653f16eeeb1" 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_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_a637572a-ce43-444b-8329-e653f16eeeb1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_3a871efb-f71f-4aca-ab50-665e5edcee3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_3a871efb-f71f-4aca-ab50-665e5edcee3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_46ea56cc-38e3-4c21-bcc4-1334e832bda9" 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_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_46ea56cc-38e3-4c21-bcc4-1334e832bda9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayableMember_c81e7c0a-efab-4ffd-9194-c26f4fe1720c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayableMember_c81e7c0a-efab-4ffd-9194-c26f4fe1720c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_76d2f076-072e-4309-9912-bae5803e0071" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_76d2f076-072e-4309-9912-bae5803e0071" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InvestmentTaxCreditLoanMember_fd56f009-4e74-432b-95e7-190b811fd4fc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InvestmentTaxCreditLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c4eea347-ac81-486a-8ff3-5d263b195dc1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InvestmentTaxCreditLoanMember_fd56f009-4e74-432b-95e7-190b811fd4fc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06_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_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" 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_053c7fa3-542b-46f5-ac49-4a5dc8c54a06" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewCS4BorrowerLLCMember_4914d68b-91c9-4a61-9200-78f8eee1072e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewCS4BorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewCS4BorrowerLLCMember_4914d68b-91c9-4a61-9200-78f8eee1072e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember_227e9234-96a8-4e45-bc1d-7694959b4a45" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ChestnutBorrowerLLCMember_227e9234-96a8-4e45-bc1d-7694959b4a45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCMember_3469e6bc-0fff-40a4-95c8-0098337c3b9d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DGCSMasterBorrowerLLCMember_3469e6bc-0fff-40a4-95c8-0098337c3b9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsLLCMember_09d452b3-dcba-48c2-a008-1d73409407b4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_UtahSolarHoldingsLLCMember_09d452b3-dcba-48c2-a008-1d73409407b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember_3fceb8b4-8db7-4e70-be0d-97a45925f282" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember_3fceb8b4-8db7-4e70-be0d-97a45925f282" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AlpineMember_d14bc796-3692-4a2f-a8cb-6b5bb3ac81ec" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AlpineMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AlpineMember_d14bc796-3692-4a2f-a8cb-6b5bb3ac81ec" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BlytheMember_00c7239b-6235-4b15-8169-1ca5cb29ea11" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BlytheMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BlytheMember_00c7239b-6235-4b15-8169-1ca5cb29ea11" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RoadrunnerMember_5517e743-4dd2-4f4a-90c5-5098225f2640" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RoadrunnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1e6cd816-50d0-4ad5-8c34-f72d8ad2d78b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RoadrunnerMember_5517e743-4dd2-4f4a-90c5-5098225f2640" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464_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_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_93fb3577-baaa-487d-9269-51c3ffefed41" 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_2cec7234-6855-4818-a52e-e645b51ea464" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_93fb3577-baaa-487d-9269-51c3ffefed41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCMember_c0209007-346a-4f13-ac09-45599cd2bc8b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_93fb3577-baaa-487d-9269-51c3ffefed41" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyOperatingLLCMember_c0209007-346a-4f13-ac09-45599cd2bc8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd_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_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a4388b89-2ff9-479f-bba4-e255f00d17f0" 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_eb76dfde-5354-4d17-8ed3-daf90fd766dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a4388b89-2ff9-479f-bba4-e255f00d17f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_84a9e2f4-9d0a-4f6d-bffb-ffcb4f48c353" 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_a4388b89-2ff9-479f-bba4-e255f00d17f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_84a9e2f4-9d0a-4f6d-bffb-ffcb4f48c353" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodAxis_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodAxis_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodAxis_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_0bb64f10-b6dc-480b-b6ea-43a724f39de3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodAxis_07fa978e-edcd-45b1-a011-959077bfb519" xlink:to="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_0bb64f10-b6dc-480b-b6ea-43a724f39de3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThroughThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember_7c891606-aad8-4125-adc2-e11162f1af1d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThroughThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_0bb64f10-b6dc-480b-b6ea-43a724f39de3" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThroughThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember_7c891606-aad8-4125-adc2-e11162f1af1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AfterThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember_2f985921-1715-4042-a4cf-74a94df93168" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AfterThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_DebtInstrumentPeriodDomain_0bb64f10-b6dc-480b-b6ea-43a724f39de3" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AfterThirdPartyAnniversaryOfClosingMember_2f985921-1715-4042-a4cf-74a94df93168" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6cc0ac57-68db-4c6a-b8ea-b637bafa885f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember_f0885602-5bd0-44b0-ac71-903d40c21dea" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember_f0885602-5bd0-44b0-ac71-903d40c21dea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember_21046ae5-cc8b-4ab4-8c01-3765d091f4b7" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ZephyrOahuPartnershipLLCMember_21046ae5-cc8b-4ab4-8c01-3765d091f4b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember_231be191-23c1-4910-9ad0-73b4566bd75c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaPartnershipMember_231be191-23c1-4910-9ad0-73b4566bd75c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_339ef5b6-e5d1-4b1a-bae6-645692273fd2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_489dfbac-9dad-4ce9-ade8-b9d533f76631" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCdue2026Member_339ef5b6-e5d1-4b1a-bae6-645692273fd2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e_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_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_df0fd5a3-655c-443c-8498-9a22c3a107fe" 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_bf4c6dad-c1b8-4497-bafd-6cd876c5766e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_df0fd5a3-655c-443c-8498-9a22c3a107fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_195272e4-30be-4e35-8f04-aa6d6292a562" 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_df0fd5a3-655c-443c-8498-9a22c3a107fe" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_195272e4-30be-4e35-8f04-aa6d6292a562" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1" 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_3323b513-79be-4a16-ab4a-284e5119642d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1_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_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_bdcf4485-4748-4c5f-a281-4baaa75d8312" 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_43101daa-0313-4a24-a339-af20b590abe1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_bdcf4485-4748-4c5f-a281-4baaa75d8312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8df9a3f2-2629-443b-9198-c278a93ed846" 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_bdcf4485-4748-4c5f-a281-4baaa75d8312" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_8df9a3f2-2629-443b-9198-c278a93ed846" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b6d2a033-9a95-44c2-8c6f-920c960f78d6" 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_bdcf4485-4748-4c5f-a281-4baaa75d8312" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b6d2a033-9a95-44c2-8c6f-920c960f78d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtInterestRateSwapsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LongtermDebtInterestRateSwapsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtInterestRateSwapsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie6df35062ef5416ab854f1311fbfb801_LongtermDebtInterestRateSwapsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_be9c257b-d778-453a-9c5c-0dd922f1472b" 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_PercentageOfDebtHedgedByInterestRateDerivatives_79926f61-1cf1-4acd-af3f-e8174c845842" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PercentageOfDebtHedgedByInterestRateDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_be9c257b-d778-453a-9c5c-0dd922f1472b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PercentageOfDebtHedgedByInterestRateDerivatives_79926f61-1cf1-4acd-af3f-e8174c845842" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_e5526b9b-f534-4c5a-9544-71ce246203de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_be9c257b-d778-453a-9c5c-0dd922f1472b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_e5526b9b-f534-4c5a-9544-71ce246203de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_c9c2878e-076f-45a5-82b7-746bbf27f9f1" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_be9c257b-d778-453a-9c5c-0dd922f1472b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_c9c2878e-076f-45a5-82b7-746bbf27f9f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_907b7df2-ad87-464f-a95f-17c5eb86070e" 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_be9c257b-d778-453a-9c5c-0dd922f1472b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_907b7df2-ad87-464f-a95f-17c5eb86070e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_907b7df2-ad87-464f-a95f-17c5eb86070e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba_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_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_675f2769-1252-40ab-9e38-ad47049e375a" 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_52ba8610-4742-4496-a42a-d48cebf415ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_675f2769-1252-40ab-9e38-ad47049e375a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_f7cce23d-28ce-4506-8479-0bc48e58cace" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_675f2769-1252-40ab-9e38-ad47049e375a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_f7cce23d-28ce-4506-8479-0bc48e58cace" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_907b7df2-ad87-464f-a95f-17c5eb86070e" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13_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_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" 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_68812295-d5c4-41fc-af43-4f6e6a7d5f13" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AvraValleyMember_8f375d22-a511-4d81-8c97-6c5d11f092ca" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AvraValleyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AvraValleyMember_8f375d22-a511-4d81-8c97-6c5d11f092ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AWAMMember_f5ecccd6-2a1c-4cdd-99bf-5e2e55a1dedb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AWAMMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AWAMMember_f5ecccd6-2a1c-4cdd-99bf-5e2e55a1dedb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BorregoMember_05b6e743-dfc6-4832-a281-139d031f7526" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BorregoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BorregoMember_05b6e743-dfc6-4832-a281-139d031f7526" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolarMember_a7a58ac1-511d-4b9c-865a-3e88455cc120" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_BuckthornSolarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_BuckthornSolarMember_a7a58ac1-511d-4b9c-865a-3e88455cc120" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember_1d27c10d-e59d-4ec3-b62a-b03554536f7f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CarlsbadDropDownMember_1d27c10d-e59d-4ec3-b62a-b03554536f7f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ElSegundoMember_141f84e4-fa98-45ec-8c3b-e79b9ed66038" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ElSegundoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ElSegundoMember_141f84e4-fa98-45ec-8c3b-e79b9ed66038" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KansasSouthMember_2f191e7f-5ab0-47fd-b650-ec179ec860ad" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KansasSouthMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KansasSouthMember_2f191e7f-5ab0-47fd-b650-ec179ec860ad" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_a9774ddd-4b17-42e0-a156-a70e89145883" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_KawailoaSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_a9774ddd-4b17-42e0-a156-a70e89145883" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeMember_35095eea-0b66-444f-9bd9-11b0e42d9929" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LaredoRidgeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LaredoRidgeMember_35095eea-0b66-444f-9bd9-11b0e42d9929" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MarshLandingMember_32ae24fc-e97f-40a9-a914-d0120c1f5336" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MarshLandingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MarshLandingMember_32ae24fc-e97f-40a9-a914-d0120c1f5336" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember_24123272-7bdb-417f-a10c-2eb619ed5ed9" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_NIMHSolarLLCMember_24123272-7bdb-417f-a10c-2eb619ed5ed9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_bc1e5669-fcae-47cb-9daa-ccf8914b1449" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarHoldingsLLCDebtMember_bc1e5669-fcae-47cb-9daa-ccf8914b1449" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member_6b5e0805-2a36-4229-bb4b-91a0b710be08" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosieClassBLLC2027Member_6b5e0805-2a36-4229-bb4b-91a0b710be08" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SouthTrentMember_d71e10b9-0407-4f66-aa34-531815437182" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SouthTrentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SouthTrentMember_d71e10b9-0407-4f66-aa34-531815437182" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_TapestryWindMember_59ecd835-9b6e-44e8-9916-f66b54125f5f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_TapestryWindMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_TapestryWindMember_59ecd835-9b6e-44e8-9916-f66b54125f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIIMember_5c15dbf6-2d49-4e87-b44e-1648028482ad" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_VientoFundingIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_VientoFundingIIMember_5c15dbf6-2d49-4e87-b44e-1648028482ad" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekMember_8e29ae2f-6fdb-4179-a1af-38f6c9097fdb" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WalnutCreekMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WalnutCreekMember_8e29ae2f-6fdb-4179-a1af-38f6c9097fdb" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsMember_58949e45-091d-428b-ae23-ff7740ffe465" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_WCEPHoldingsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d7d78358-c4d2-409a-b84b-0ec6dccfae20" xlink:to="loc_cwen_WCEPHoldingsMember_58949e45-091d-428b-ae23-ff7740ffe465" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243" 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_907b7df2-ad87-464f-a95f-17c5eb86070e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243_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_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" 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_0c333719-4547-40bb-8a7e-0542ebc95243" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityNovember302030Member_f70b35cd-bece-401e-8a91-5ae48888c631" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityNovember302030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityNovember302030Member_f70b35cd-bece-401e-8a91-5ae48888c631" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityMay152031Member_b219fed4-b581-4e5c-a8fc-4e7006e80a3f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityMay152031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityMay152031Member_b219fed4-b581-4e5c-a8fc-4e7006e80a3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312024Member_a757eff1-6474-4a53-89cf-666f10ad0d89" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityDecember312024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312024Member_a757eff1-6474-4a53-89cf-666f10ad0d89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312041Member_e748908b-90b1-432a-9150-48aab86eeeac" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityDecember312041Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312041Member_e748908b-90b1-432a-9150-48aab86eeeac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturitySeptember302027Member_efb784bd-e784-460b-8e9d-4debd780b7f3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturitySeptember302027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturitySeptember302027Member_efb784bd-e784-460b-8e9d-4debd780b7f3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312030Member_ba7b752f-5d5c-4e75-839e-49a3c9769f30" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityDecember312030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember312030Member_ba7b752f-5d5c-4e75-839e-49a3c9769f30" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityOctober312040Member_ad80c2cc-ba84-4c10-9508-51fd13ebe9db" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityOctober312040Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityOctober312040Member_ad80c2cc-ba84-4c10-9508-51fd13ebe9db" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember212028Member_dabf85c1-a0b0-41fa-8940-0e49e1bd243f" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityDecember212028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityDecember212028Member_dabf85c1-a0b0-41fa-8940-0e49e1bd243f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityJune302023Member_25af6747-bc29-4d3d-9794-666017f6265b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityJune302023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityJune302023Member_25af6747-bc29-4d3d-9794-666017f6265b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityJuly292044Member_e7b794a6-7634-48ee-89c9-25175f03d660" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityJuly292044Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityJuly292044Member_e7b794a6-7634-48ee-89c9-25175f03d660" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityJune302028Member_cf3a7a73-9f65-4624-a723-f553dc139f03" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityJune302028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityJune302028Member_cf3a7a73-9f65-4624-a723-f553dc139f03" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_MaturityMay312023Member_ce765e1c-b468-4bda-99bf-4385b17b0fc1" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_MaturityMay312023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_73333fe6-f3af-4de3-b535-cf19fd3935d0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_MaturityMay312023Member_ce765e1c-b468-4bda-99bf-4385b17b0fc1" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtAnnualMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LongtermDebtAnnualMaturitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LongtermDebtAnnualMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i98e1f47c91044b82bc61eaa8cf8ed56b_LongtermDebtAnnualMaturitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" 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_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_7b481294-f121-490b-9dc5-05664031b6d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_7b481294-f121-490b-9dc5-05664031b6d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_93c80257-53e6-4fae-b27d-447e5d17a152" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_93c80257-53e6-4fae-b27d-447e5d17a152" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_7361d2e3-888e-4d28-a5d5-4d6dec24b35b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_7361d2e3-888e-4d28-a5d5-4d6dec24b35b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_793dfa76-3f76-4007-8144-d28f0bd042dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_793dfa76-3f76-4007-8144-d28f0bd042dc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_8a4c4167-4ef0-4b84-aa4b-9dd4098b5574" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_8a4c4167-4ef0-4b84-aa4b-9dd4098b5574" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_1b43fad7-e71b-4ab1-9e44-ea0f2dc164e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_1b43fad7-e71b-4ab1-9e44-ea0f2dc164e4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_5c7b77b1-f7b1-4505-804c-f2c68111a249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_5c7b77b1-f7b1-4505-804c-f2c68111a249" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4fb4c071-2b70-4614-ad16-35a508051fb4" 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_c3c90cc1-2a3d-401a-aaa7-3f3a3482c0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4fb4c071-2b70-4614-ad16-35a508051fb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_4fb4c071-2b70-4614-ad16-35a508051fb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd_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_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_538d6c12-ad12-4fe3-b3b0-37add4b96ad2" 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_6ff4562d-7401-4b36-b095-91974d384dcd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_538d6c12-ad12-4fe3-b3b0-37add4b96ad2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_9823155c-888f-4ab1-baa7-a8b1a88ba996" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_538d6c12-ad12-4fe3-b3b0-37add4b96ad2" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_9823155c-888f-4ab1-baa7-a8b1a88ba996" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#EarningsLossPerShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id5a72c6613c34091a899e294834b0846_EarningsLossPerShareDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_a753cc80-5a91-4cdb-934d-6729f17b1782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_a753cc80-5a91-4cdb-934d-6729f17b1782" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_afdd80b3-5f14-44d1-a095-2c7c1b05cece" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_afdd80b3-5f14-44d1-a095-2c7c1b05cece" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_8e818241-52a7-4cca-96a6-6af2b9490d7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_8e818241-52a7-4cca-96a6-6af2b9490d7d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_0753e3ba-e2c9-415e-80a5-b457bfd710d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_0753e3ba-e2c9-415e-80a5-b457bfd710d7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_4033d894-e44d-4dfc-8ce2-eb030e13cc16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_4033d894-e44d-4dfc-8ce2-eb030e13cc16" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_63fedc12-1f1d-47b3-8890-8ca57daebe8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_63fedc12-1f1d-47b3-8890-8ca57daebe8f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_a08f24fa-0b37-490a-810c-d7e30c034a80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_f4dafcba-7c4e-4051-8e0f-8d6e81409119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_a08f24fa-0b37-490a-810c-d7e30c034a80" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96" 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_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_a08f24fa-0b37-490a-810c-d7e30c034a80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96_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_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_fe525694-5015-40e5-ac6c-1f37651fee9c" 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_9db7a63c-ef00-4c40-8182-a07dcc138b96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_fe525694-5015-40e5-ac6c-1f37651fee9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9daeed9f-4960-4212-8556-53abbfbe192b" 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_fe525694-5015-40e5-ac6c-1f37651fee9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_9daeed9f-4960-4212-8556-53abbfbe192b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_57da49f6-6722-4d0b-acd5-fbcb4643f2d8" 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_fe525694-5015-40e5-ac6c-1f37651fee9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_57da49f6-6722-4d0b-acd5-fbcb4643f2d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6a0c774c1b6a49ff8c6e9fd138648d8f_StockholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" 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_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_3544cf33-aa99-480a-b6a8-9bfad585a084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_3544cf33-aa99-480a-b6a8-9bfad585a084" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity_0d522356-571e-4f97-a334-ed78d581b540" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquity_0d522356-571e-4f97-a334-ed78d581b540" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ATMProgramMaximumDollarValueofSharestoBeIssued_540c1f8f-591e-47cf-965a-361c7c952bed" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ATMProgramMaximumDollarValueofSharestoBeIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ATMProgramMaximumDollarValueofSharestoBeIssued_540c1f8f-591e-47cf-965a-361c7c952bed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SaleOfStockCommissionFees_3128764c-f6cb-4115-8f91-59da41b3bac2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SaleOfStockCommissionFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SaleOfStockCommissionFees_3128764c-f6cb-4115-8f91-59da41b3bac2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ATMProgramAvailableForIssuance_4d123566-6de3-4b6d-a2ab-955083d3ee95" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ATMProgramAvailableForIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ATMProgramAvailableForIssuance_4d123566-6de3-4b6d-a2ab-955083d3ee95" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParentShares_3e3f44a1-6523-4e26-a4ab-95150e85c253" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParentShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParentShares_3e3f44a1-6523-4e26-a4ab-95150e85c253" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_9884e7cb-ef63-450d-8803-519829b018cb" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_9884e7cb-ef63-450d-8803-519829b018cb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_84895f8c-0c0a-49ed-ba56-4a18fe2e1764" 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_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_84895f8c-0c0a-49ed-ba56-4a18fe2e1764" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_d8020430-ba6d-44cc-999f-1d651d3665e2" 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_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_d8020430-ba6d-44cc-999f-1d651d3665e2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_c5f5960c-1101-474c-9b75-938d81545697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_c5f5960c-1101-474c-9b75-938d81545697" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_a478f813-6c0b-4959-9dfb-3fb81f4c56df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_a478f813-6c0b-4959-9dfb-3fb81f4c56df" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" 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_07e0ca8e-14b8-4979-b64d-592f50ea9b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093_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_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_38065330-793d-4c38-bd58-3839d73f130c" 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_e5a057dd-0327-462f-9f04-34a38b884093" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_38065330-793d-4c38-bd58-3839d73f130c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_b23988ea-46ad-4742-8c6c-abe6a05282ac" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_38065330-793d-4c38-bd58-3839d73f130c" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_b23988ea-46ad-4742-8c6c-abe6a05282ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_8f27049e-c0be-43ee-8d11-40ae05e8c0ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_e7da530d-eca0-40e2-8210-95b3704a7701" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_8f27049e-c0be-43ee-8d11-40ae05e8c0ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A2020ATMProgramMember_7e0d01f2-3d66-4555-aadf-8c82a929e720" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A2020ATMProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_8f27049e-c0be-43ee-8d11-40ae05e8c0ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A2020ATMProgramMember_7e0d01f2-3d66-4555-aadf-8c82a929e720" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_A2016ATMProgramMember_7da9c05a-e7cf-4712-a3b5-6e39eb8da49e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_A2016ATMProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_8f27049e-c0be-43ee-8d11-40ae05e8c0ae" xlink:to="loc_cwen_A2016ATMProgramMember_7da9c05a-e7cf-4712-a3b5-6e39eb8da49e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0_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_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2eb036c9-d298-408a-bd8c-071507526b63" 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_882add79-0540-417d-a8ac-980b65b752c0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2eb036c9-d298-408a-bd8c-071507526b63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_411bd875-4145-4209-9f6e-ae170c416cd8" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2eb036c9-d298-408a-bd8c-071507526b63" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_411bd875-4145-4209-9f6e-ae170c416cd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_5fc2fe80-4ed1-4605-9f20-6bf19e1c0005" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2eb036c9-d298-408a-bd8c-071507526b63" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_5fc2fe80-4ed1-4605-9f20-6bf19e1c0005" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53_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_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_ed98e2ec-3fec-4a4f-a12b-e73609067c82" 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_651eaff9-3a43-4d65-bf23-2aed38df6c53" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_ed98e2ec-3fec-4a4f-a12b-e73609067c82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_b0a2ec9e-587b-4592-820f-ac9a8ba041ab" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_ed98e2ec-3fec-4a4f-a12b-e73609067c82" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_b0a2ec9e-587b-4592-820f-ac9a8ba041ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261" 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_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261_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_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" 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_5988e3b8-3677-4df0-a8b7-a096f63d3261" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b0ef7e21-9d67-4795-9040-bcb1c0893300" 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_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_b0ef7e21-9d67-4795-9040-bcb1c0893300" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_a0d5e8c9-0037-45f7-bdc0-3d6483ce4db3" 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_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_a0d5e8c9-0037-45f7-bdc0-3d6483ce4db3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7f04c4a2-7b35-48e3-b90f-308899116a72" 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_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7f04c4a2-7b35-48e3-b90f-308899116a72" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_6e79ddd6-a3e2-477b-af99-cdfdb985406d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5efe7cec-7d78-45f3-85dd-a376124a32a0" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_6e79ddd6-a3e2-477b-af99-cdfdb985406d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350" 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_8072843d-f412-4817-90b4-d6a0c9a3cc25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350_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_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_05214d68-8e13-4f39-959a-ddc4ff756cfc" 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_035fa134-7672-4305-80d2-15cad1790350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_05214d68-8e13-4f39-959a-ddc4ff756cfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_0ebb76fe-a96a-4632-9dc2-f29e25a3a94f" 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_05214d68-8e13-4f39-959a-ddc4ff756cfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_0ebb76fe-a96a-4632-9dc2-f29e25a3a94f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9a09dd6bdbf0432d9b0536266681de9d_SegmentReportingDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" 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_CustomersPercentageofTotalRevenue_c232394e-c466-4581-b67e-7c3435218df0" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CustomersPercentageofTotalRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CustomersPercentageofTotalRevenue_c232394e-c466-4581-b67e-7c3435218df0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_a2b64370-d8df-496a-9b14-faa59c0be1ec" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_a2b64370-d8df-496a-9b14-faa59c0be1ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_4bc0a3d2-a482-4b09-a277-feffc3bbe502" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_4bc0a3d2-a482-4b09-a277-feffc3bbe502" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_4e677e92-3c4a-47e7-82b1-a8cfe8224c7b" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_4e677e92-3c4a-47e7-82b1-a8cfe8224c7b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_330b9a49-b8ec-4e93-b62b-559075558ade" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_330b9a49-b8ec-4e93-b62b-559075558ade" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_63a207aa-ea90-4eda-bc41-eec432400118" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_63a207aa-ea90-4eda-bc41-eec432400118" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_3f8e8119-eaab-4c12-b003-572a06812181" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_3f8e8119-eaab-4c12-b003-572a06812181" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_d9a02bc6-7d77-4100-bec4-ef044a2e2936" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsIncurredDevelopmentCosts_d9a02bc6-7d77-4100-bec4-ef044a2e2936" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0ecb96e9-3dea-4b09-8137-af52d7e3a1fd" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0ecb96e9-3dea-4b09-8137-af52d7e3a1fd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_f9927f0e-ac60-4869-8d5e-57af46220a5d" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_f9927f0e-ac60-4869-8d5e-57af46220a5d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_0e1200de-0304-45d3-a55f-f17ef8083d06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment_0e1200de-0304-45d3-a55f-f17ef8083d06" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_e7e0782a-df2c-40c6-9fde-e9f5aff2034a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_e7e0782a-df2c-40c6-9fde-e9f5aff2034a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_a640d8a0-5292-49c9-9ff6-b95c9827d7d4" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_a640d8a0-5292-49c9-9ff6-b95c9827d7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_9f22e762-0b74-4210-8e0e-d25a9cfe5847" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_9f22e762-0b74-4210-8e0e-d25a9cfe5847" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_7ab76386-9ab3-44cc-9bee-3d948c75fa40" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_7ab76386-9ab3-44cc-9bee-3d948c75fa40" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_089f68a8-9687-4f70-9610-8349947bbe51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_089f68a8-9687-4f70-9610-8349947bbe51" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_96603083-10e3-41da-9b19-44183dabed99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_96603083-10e3-41da-9b19-44183dabed99" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_8fc1861a-4e5e-41c0-892b-32346aac1c99" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_8fc1861a-4e5e-41c0-892b-32346aac1c99" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_aec92417-c023-4b36-a856-d9534f1231d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_aec92417-c023-4b36-a856-d9534f1231d4" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_701cd50c-9246-4658-8c8e-1250bbaedb76" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_701cd50c-9246-4658-8c8e-1250bbaedb76" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CapitalExpenditures_37003973-0ba3-418a-83e5-ccbc07990fb6" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CapitalExpenditures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CapitalExpenditures_37003973-0ba3-418a-83e5-ccbc07990fb6" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_37a8450c-4cb7-46a5-a0e3-3d8f9c756100" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_37a8450c-4cb7-46a5-a0e3-3d8f9c756100" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_d9a362e7-adf5-431d-baed-684fe52cdce3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_d9a362e7-adf5-431d-baed-684fe52cdce3" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f801c847-29eb-48c1-b6c2-2ce30b3639d2" 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_749682ed-0da9-492a-b7dd-feec59b0d8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f801c847-29eb-48c1-b6c2-2ce30b3639d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd" 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_f801c847-29eb-48c1-b6c2-2ce30b3639d2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd_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_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7e74d1d8-d1b6-4d10-9b16-5ffba05baef7" 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_0ccc4471-cfea-4d13-a0a8-9d8c1ce587dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_7e74d1d8-d1b6-4d10-9b16-5ffba05baef7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_27c3116e-1b82-4c2c-9957-c8a9f77c687e" 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_7e74d1d8-d1b6-4d10-9b16-5ffba05baef7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_27c3116e-1b82-4c2c-9957-c8a9f77c687e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_16c844ee-ef51-4720-a003-75563b58b75a" 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_7e74d1d8-d1b6-4d10-9b16-5ffba05baef7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_16c844ee-ef51-4720-a003-75563b58b75a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f801c847-29eb-48c1-b6c2-2ce30b3639d2" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_41d94e5b-990e-43ed-aefc-e7c491e68d58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_d057346c-5b2f-4bbe-9a66-05477899dff6" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_41d94e5b-990e-43ed-aefc-e7c491e68d58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_SouthernCaliforniaEdisonMember_b28e3fed-90ef-4b04-99ca-9de1cf4c83cc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_SouthernCaliforniaEdisonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_41d94e5b-990e-43ed-aefc-e7c491e68d58" xlink:to="loc_cwen_SouthernCaliforniaEdisonMember_b28e3fed-90ef-4b04-99ca-9de1cf4c83cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PGEMember_08f415c4-2ecc-4905-beb9-d71d25c3834a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PGEMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_41d94e5b-990e-43ed-aefc-e7c491e68d58" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PGEMember_08f415c4-2ecc-4905-beb9-d71d25c3834a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f" 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_f801c847-29eb-48c1-b6c2-2ce30b3639d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f_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_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2884f6a0-4404-48ee-8e15-c1be9628d9a1" 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_2b6346d6-0d78-43b2-9a62-57f5053ade4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2884f6a0-4404-48ee-8e15-c1be9628d9a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_ddb74dea-5e69-41a4-8134-0101cf933490" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2884f6a0-4404-48ee-8e15-c1be9628d9a1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_ddb74dea-5e69-41a4-8134-0101cf933490" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_e28ae5f3-07ae-45ac-ac36-9eed4d4622f4" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2884f6a0-4404-48ee-8e15-c1be9628d9a1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_e28ae5f3-07ae-45ac-ac36-9eed4d4622f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_4a04b9da-be8f-4044-ae82-574087638555" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2884f6a0-4404-48ee-8e15-c1be9628d9a1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_4a04b9da-be8f-4044-ae82-574087638555" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iba205afe41d74426b27aaadb5c3b9056_RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_ab12a214-6239-47b6-a6f3-98c8408e76b7" 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_d2c1d944-bdc4-4e6d-835a-106f9f323c99" 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_ab12a214-6239-47b6-a6f3-98c8408e76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_d2c1d944-bdc4-4e6d-835a-106f9f323c99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_f431c670-58ff-45c7-84b0-3e006f1d231b" 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_ab12a214-6239-47b6-a6f3-98c8408e76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_f431c670-58ff-45c7-84b0-3e006f1d231b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a22a993a-4731-401c-a417-fc1f683bed08" 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_ab12a214-6239-47b6-a6f3-98c8408e76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_a22a993a-4731-401c-a417-fc1f683bed08" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_53f16ea4-db75-40e5-bd44-c07c1dc0e258" 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_ab12a214-6239-47b6-a6f3-98c8408e76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_53f16ea4-db75-40e5-bd44-c07c1dc0e258" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c" 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_53f16ea4-db75-40e5-bd44-c07c1dc0e258" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c_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_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_29c0bcb4-42d0-4899-b141-6af57a8f83c8" 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_da473172-3987-4dd5-98b4-fd4ae702441c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_29c0bcb4-42d0-4899-b141-6af57a8f83c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RENOMMember_08098384-9911-48dd-8a9f-9f4327a3418c" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RENOMMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_29c0bcb4-42d0-4899-b141-6af57a8f83c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RENOMMember_08098384-9911-48dd-8a9f-9f4327a3418c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_93f7a12d-c115-4bcc-9399-2f65c6cac84d" 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_29c0bcb4-42d0-4899-b141-6af57a8f83c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_93f7a12d-c115-4bcc-9399-2f65c6cac84d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CEGMember_69610a57-ca76-4406-88ee-330fd79fb2ab" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CEGMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_29c0bcb4-42d0-4899-b141-6af57a8f83c8" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CEGMember_69610a57-ca76-4406-88ee-330fd79fb2ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_53f16ea4-db75-40e5-bd44-c07c1dc0e258" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_a1459bc9-6f62-49c7-86ed-2889afb01355" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_322080a6-0b26-488d-86f4-831be4e54859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_a1459bc9-6f62-49c7-86ed-2889afb01355" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_AdministrativeServicesAgreementMember_46d5e095-ba4c-4a21-b70a-6fc67552eec2" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_AdministrativeServicesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_a1459bc9-6f62-49c7-86ed-2889afb01355" xlink:to="loc_cwen_AdministrativeServicesAgreementMember_46d5e095-ba4c-4a21-b70a-6fc67552eec2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i93066865d6b24031b4cf84217b87dec3_LeasesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_ba3cbc40-134c-4e97-8a3c-11e3b67788e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_ba3cbc40-134c-4e97-8a3c-11e3b67788e3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_6dd539b1-3be7-4839-b8e7-8a7418cf8dab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_6dd539b1-3be7-4839-b8e7-8a7418cf8dab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_7b7470a3-67bc-482a-b17c-27e1d7f2052d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_7b7470a3-67bc-482a-b17c-27e1d7f2052d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_7e4e7c5d-a587-4b40-8b88-591d9c5fe544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_7e4e7c5d-a587-4b40-8b88-591d9c5fe544" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberofRenewalOptions_c76f9a93-2040-4bc1-a453-e72138ba475e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberofRenewalOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_cwen_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberofRenewalOptions_c76f9a93-2040-4bc1-a453-e72138ba475e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_83bc32bb-ed72-4fc9-b0aa-838ffa2466c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_83bc32bb-ed72-4fc9-b0aa-838ffa2466c4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_de189850-4dd1-4121-8369-2d57a14907e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_ed37a366-17a5-49d3-bb11-78585e77e629" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_de189850-4dd1-4121-8369-2d57a14907e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e" 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_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_de189850-4dd1-4121-8369-2d57a14907e7" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e_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_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2b2a0808-1867-4ba7-98c3-64704d7445df" 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_e82c48e6-ae6a-4284-a7f8-f47d5ea2405e" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2b2a0808-1867-4ba7-98c3-64704d7445df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_58584fe1-332e-497a-bcbb-f767b8060e9e" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2b2a0808-1867-4ba7-98c3-64704d7445df" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OahuSolarPartnershipMember_58584fe1-332e-497a-bcbb-f767b8060e9e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_42dc4202-5539-4d5d-b01e-27d5369037fe" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RosamondCentralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2b2a0808-1867-4ba7-98c3-64704d7445df" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RosamondCentralMember_42dc4202-5539-4d5d-b01e-27d5369037fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesMaturitiesofOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LeasesMaturitiesofOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesMaturitiesofOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6aa42dbbfbcb4b1b9aa2196ccd0b171f_LeasesMaturitiesofOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths_5479e682-daf6-4b4f-b64b-f96795fb188e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths_5479e682-daf6-4b4f-b64b-f96795fb188e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo_6e97bd53-32d1-43f1-9728-a5d5afc60209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo_6e97bd53-32d1-43f1-9728-a5d5afc60209" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree_0b55ed8b-00ba-443e-b7d2-6a84c5359420" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree_0b55ed8b-00ba-443e-b7d2-6a84c5359420" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour_03b1d065-8e25-4012-892b-d39ff51aa3f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour_03b1d065-8e25-4012-892b-d39ff51aa3f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive_d786b73d-0c43-4ad7-98cc-3fdae024f821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive_d786b73d-0c43-4ad7-98cc-3fdae024f821" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive_d914663b-4467-4b5e-9ad4-e5390f57dd29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive_d914663b-4467-4b5e-9ad4-e5390f57dd29" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_46db8498-dd10-4810-b2dc-44495e0b5ac8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue_46db8498-dd10-4810-b2dc-44495e0b5ac8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_3b3d4be2-e74d-42a3-99b7-48fcd2afb096" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount_3b3d4be2-e74d-42a3-99b7-48fcd2afb096" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_ad715670-1ff9-4f23-a4bb-cc464809771e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_ad715670-1ff9-4f23-a4bb-cc464809771e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_0627217f-a2fa-4d13-aa54-9b643d82d9e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_2bada1e5-e0b6-4437-9dd7-f7c6e8b4a5c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_0627217f-a2fa-4d13-aa54-9b643d82d9e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_0627217f-a2fa-4d13-aa54-9b643d82d9e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9_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_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5d91ccf2-6052-4e6f-8bdf-a9062bf20683" 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_abdf4617-2e41-4fb6-aee6-a2350872cff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5d91ccf2-6052-4e6f-8bdf-a9062bf20683" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_e1c6a4a6-0ce7-4027-9e69-01acea93c412" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5d91ccf2-6052-4e6f-8bdf-a9062bf20683" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_e1c6a4a6-0ce7-4027-9e69-01acea93c412" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesRevenueRelatedtoLeasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LeasesRevenueRelatedtoLeasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesRevenueRelatedtoLeasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i062b28b1b1fc43c8a4a7aef2fbb3fa45_LeasesRevenueRelatedtoLeasesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_a7e36e85-b1b2-4e06-ad13-00596a88c958" 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_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_6934c0b4-fe72-4649-9f23-491cd2113a49" 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_a7e36e85-b1b2-4e06-ad13-00596a88c958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_6934c0b4-fe72-4649-9f23-491cd2113a49" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9500603e-80f6-4446-a823-b56f7af74b86" 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_a7e36e85-b1b2-4e06-ad13-00596a88c958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_9500603e-80f6-4446-a823-b56f7af74b86" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae" 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_9500603e-80f6-4446-a823-b56f7af74b86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae_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_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87037470-e667-4235-92d5-6318395bf3ba" 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_25812e5e-5841-482a-8caf-e625f1f473ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87037470-e667-4235-92d5-6318395bf3ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_0c334a1b-a5d5-4d70-aa46-630faacba410" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87037470-e667-4235-92d5-6318395bf3ba" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_0c334a1b-a5d5-4d70-aa46-630faacba410" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_00852f8f-90bb-4db9-bb81-cb3839d221e3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_RenewablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87037470-e667-4235-92d5-6318395bf3ba" xlink:to="loc_cwen_RenewablesMember_00852f8f-90bb-4db9-bb81-cb3839d221e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_ce529545-ff60-4808-b994-a5809fc39e5b" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_87037470-e667-4235-92d5-6318395bf3ba" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_ce529545-ff60-4808-b994-a5809fc39e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd" 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_9500603e-80f6-4446-a823-b56f7af74b86" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd_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_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_7ffba0c4-2de8-4431-a5d1-43528447a8b1" 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_6e50d7d6-a3e1-44e1-9046-9ec5b8c329dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_7ffba0c4-2de8-4431-a5d1-43528447a8b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_a7ec552d-9f4b-4423-8346-1cf353184890" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EnergyRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_7ffba0c4-2de8-4431-a5d1-43528447a8b1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EnergyRevenueMember_a7ec552d-9f4b-4423-8346-1cf353184890" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_267256e0-7752-430e-a46f-077330630e4a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CapacityRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_7ffba0c4-2de8-4431-a5d1-43528447a8b1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CapacityRevenueMember_267256e0-7752-430e-a46f-077330630e4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_OperatingRevenuesMember_6b235477-3694-476c-8280-6946604ec1fc" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_OperatingRevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_7ffba0c4-2de8-4431-a5d1-43528447a8b1" xlink:to="loc_cwen_OperatingRevenuesMember_6b235477-3694-476c-8280-6946604ec1fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesLessorMinimumFutureRentPaymentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LeasesLessorMinimumFutureRentPaymentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesLessorMinimumFutureRentPaymentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id671bce2f6a24ecc85d6d00d2b40f62a_LeasesLessorMinimumFutureRentPaymentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" 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_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths_6486b807-56d2-493b-ac75-85db0904cb09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths_6486b807-56d2-493b-ac75-85db0904cb09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears_47d29a97-c2a7-426e-872e-334c8653a0b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears_47d29a97-c2a7-426e-872e-334c8653a0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears_20e619cf-450c-4269-898f-d590cdca7db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears_20e619cf-450c-4269-898f-d590cdca7db2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears_31a283c6-1e04-4685-8c41-ad48f5da5b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears_31a283c6-1e04-4685-8c41-ad48f5da5b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears_84c3ed0d-bade-4d22-9b20-85fdfa829dc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears_84c3ed0d-bade-4d22-9b20-85fdfa829dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThereafter_4b807034-f267-4528-b60a-051c3b5f4a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThereafter"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThereafter_4b807034-f267-4528-b60a-051c3b5f4a84" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived_0bb9837b-8ebd-4f83-bbef-7d94f7306478" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived_0bb9837b-8ebd-4f83-bbef-7d94f7306478" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7ed956cb-cd47-463a-af02-07543d15bbe0" 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_662b8e5f-c131-415d-8533-30069343d57c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7ed956cb-cd47-463a-af02-07543d15bbe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e" 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_7ed956cb-cd47-463a-af02-07543d15bbe0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e_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_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fec63df6-e703-4866-8de4-32b2ae557c10" 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_36dba1e0-4596-41dd-b545-70ad569e5f3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fec63df6-e703-4866-8de4-32b2ae557c10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_b149aafe-4dff-4e9f-b925-ea72ccafd909" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ThermalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fec63df6-e703-4866-8de4-32b2ae557c10" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ThermalMember_b149aafe-4dff-4e9f-b925-ea72ccafd909" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_3e640a0c-4f0a-41d5-8a2c-b00aaf8c9531" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fec63df6-e703-4866-8de4-32b2ae557c10" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationMember_3e640a0c-4f0a-41d5-8a2c-b00aaf8c9531" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesPropertyPlantandEquipmentRelatedtoOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#LeasesPropertyPlantandEquipmentRelatedtoOperatingLeasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/LeasesPropertyPlantandEquipmentRelatedtoOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icd243bc2b2464923a8af70886d026b05_LeasesPropertyPlantandEquipmentRelatedtoOperatingLeasesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_742553ea-d9d8-4d73-83c8-49866dcbece0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_bd206790-e858-40e0-8f1f-d8a846ac88ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_742553ea-d9d8-4d73-83c8-49866dcbece0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_bd206790-e858-40e0-8f1f-d8a846ac88ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_e28c06f1-f63f-42bc-a8c7-147839c5a61d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_742553ea-d9d8-4d73-83c8-49866dcbece0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_e28c06f1-f63f-42bc-a8c7-147839c5a61d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_6d61626f-f201-4b4c-9ec8-e5668f8a5524" 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_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_742553ea-d9d8-4d73-83c8-49866dcbece0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_6d61626f-f201-4b4c-9ec8-e5668f8a5524" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9408275f-945f-4f65-9f1b-242afc922244" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_742553ea-d9d8-4d73-83c8-49866dcbece0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9408275f-945f-4f65-9f1b-242afc922244" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_9408275f-945f-4f65-9f1b-242afc922244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ce1492f2-5eca-4d1b-a124-707aaaf99bb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_bdd10666-e1cd-40c9-a6f5-80579738d0ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ce1492f2-5eca-4d1b-a124-707aaaf99bb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_b2d82ab9-569a-4b3f-8635-d95e0dbc85b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ce1492f2-5eca-4d1b-a124-707aaaf99bb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_b2d82ab9-569a-4b3f-8635-d95e0dbc85b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantPLDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantPLDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantPLDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i850493fee2b04bdea234599b670a75eb_ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantPLDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_6e3b745a-fd21-4dd3-8cbd-2f0c815edacf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_6e3b745a-fd21-4dd3-8cbd-2f0c815edacf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_EquityInEarningsOfConsolidatedSubsidiaries_bbbf0617-ac90-457e-9080-e9248488588a" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_EquityInEarningsOfConsolidatedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_cwen_EquityInEarningsOfConsolidatedSubsidiaries_bbbf0617-ac90-457e-9080-e9248488588a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_fa5a1132-1e0a-47f3-8921-8b2827d6876a" 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_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_fa5a1132-1e0a-47f3-8921-8b2827d6876a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_b0ba2a6e-bd1f-4daf-8ef1-93ee5fbe7fb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_b0ba2a6e-bd1f-4daf-8ef1-93ee5fbe7fb4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_1b838930-9e6b-407c-8fce-2a6bd25cf1c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_1b838930-9e6b-407c-8fce-2a6bd25cf1c7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_6a03b0fe-e11c-4621-aac5-2f2498db59c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_6a03b0fe-e11c-4621-aac5-2f2498db59c2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_b6b6fa31-ba79-42a0-8273-5cc4bb575c90" 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_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_b6b6fa31-ba79-42a0-8273-5cc4bb575c90" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_454921c9-388d-45d8-808a-55454f4a6ac3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_454921c9-388d-45d8-808a-55454f4a6ac3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_b5798422-f28f-405c-8527-325de5a10aff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_b5798422-f28f-405c-8527-325de5a10aff" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_83100c6c-2221-4365-9308-d520de077889" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_94b7fe2d-00fd-476f-8c11-bbacf43effb6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_83100c6c-2221-4365-9308-d520de077889" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9" 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_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_83100c6c-2221-4365-9308-d520de077889" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9_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_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_927ad61a-996f-4d9e-a5ef-97d37d601673" 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_948c6d3d-eae6-4121-950f-f996c31634a9" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_927ad61a-996f-4d9e-a5ef-97d37d601673" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_f5cb52f9-b4b9-45be-935b-732160a2b6db" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_927ad61a-996f-4d9e-a5ef-97d37d601673" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_f5cb52f9-b4b9-45be-935b-732160a2b6db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7c3aaf59ce1d4f1dbb878d26e449ebe5_ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent_f352fa69-156d-4fd4-af03-e38562eed422" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent_f352fa69-156d-4fd4-af03-e38562eed422" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent_fd2fbab1-8b93-429c-90e2-bfe0e61c3401" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent_fd2fbab1-8b93-429c-90e2-bfe0e61c3401" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_d689c282-415e-433e-8bed-37e255d4dc6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_d689c282-415e-433e-8bed-37e255d4dc6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_3e6b94e1-e98a-4422-a623-7433db347570" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_3e6b94e1-e98a-4422-a623-7433db347570" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_0f715be1-ebb3-443f-bc6e-a4c5e96519dd" 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_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_0f715be1-ebb3-443f-bc6e-a4c5e96519dd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9121d020-4bf8-4b1b-9e02-8444a66c47ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9121d020-4bf8-4b1b-9e02-8444a66c47ae" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_56202dd9-2a15-42e4-90cf-f96f5c70584d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_56202dd9-2a15-42e4-90cf-f96f5c70584d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_b2b01e6e-56c3-4604-89bc-259c4403a718" 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_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_b2b01e6e-56c3-4604-89bc-259c4403a718" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_88959e19-a4f0-43f7-b8b9-27881a2cf168" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_88959e19-a4f0-43f7-b8b9-27881a2cf168" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_331db809-9fbe-4644-b99d-14d9ced97191" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_331db809-9fbe-4644-b99d-14d9ced97191" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_eb9123bd-ef47-45dc-924b-c0050122ae05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_eb9123bd-ef47-45dc-924b-c0050122ae05" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_3bf18b5f-4805-488a-a614-236458067f28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_3bf18b5f-4805-488a-a614-236458067f28" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4a0337cc-5399-4874-9d2f-1a154dda9c8d" 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_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4a0337cc-5399-4874-9d2f-1a154dda9c8d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_1fa32f08-0d33-499b-b5b1-319cf1afce06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_1fa32f08-0d33-499b-b5b1-319cf1afce06" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_9a35dc79-cb03-4a93-8e19-fae325f5f92f" 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_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_9a35dc79-cb03-4a93-8e19-fae325f5f92f" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_c0e66f6b-e019-4ad9-ab79-bbffb19c332e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_c0e66f6b-e019-4ad9-ab79-bbffb19c332e" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_84dcb52d-c6fa-4a73-9204-8b6f9788ea75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_e020b084-b841-40c4-92ec-69f331b7ce7b" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_84dcb52d-c6fa-4a73-9204-8b6f9788ea75" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda" 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_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_84dcb52d-c6fa-4a73-9204-8b6f9788ea75" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda_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_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8af2fd1a-cb20-47c1-b9e4-fd729decf4ea" 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_204239e1-51ea-452c-9db0-b58eaeb5deda" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8af2fd1a-cb20-47c1-b9e4-fd729decf4ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_7897047d-f9d5-4223-9554-0049b2965281" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8af2fd1a-cb20-47c1-b9e4-fd729decf4ea" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_7897047d-f9d5-4223-9554-0049b2965281" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSParentheticalDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSParentheticalDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSParentheticalDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if2c485f3149b4a8fb0fc798ceefbfc69_ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantBSParentheticalDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_14b7c2ba-261b-4d58-8208-4e2f24b237bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_14b7c2ba-261b-4d58-8208-4e2f24b237bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_a482ee72-6a0e-477b-85e7-70d4556aa3fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_a482ee72-6a0e-477b-85e7-70d4556aa3fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_1dbf23f7-2149-42ab-84de-9d70e8091717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_1dbf23f7-2149-42ab-84de-9d70e8091717" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_9e37490c-7df6-4e8d-a2bb-4f265e5f6745" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_9e37490c-7df6-4e8d-a2bb-4f265e5f6745" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_f556e225-e295-43fd-8268-23d7cb43c762" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_f556e225-e295-43fd-8268-23d7cb43c762" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_2e25b2c8-feb0-4d58-828d-4080f2d81b1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_2e25b2c8-feb0-4d58-828d-4080f2d81b1d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_258b8a42-7805-49da-9739-0f0985fa47b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_258b8a42-7805-49da-9739-0f0985fa47b3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_39d6ed13-8ccd-4365-855e-fe0978a43070" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_086b74f0-0db1-466d-a093-a00b50454b21" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_39d6ed13-8ccd-4365-855e-fe0978a43070" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708" 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_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_39d6ed13-8ccd-4365-855e-fe0978a43070" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708_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_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_18a91b2f-605b-410e-9fac-b9a7745c849b" 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_868e5e26-2b8f-40ba-9cc5-1f8426300708" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_18a91b2f-605b-410e-9fac-b9a7745c849b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_c3dbdabe-5f54-423a-9444-9589d15ba0dd" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_18a91b2f-605b-410e-9fac-b9a7745c849b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_c3dbdabe-5f54-423a-9444-9589d15ba0dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a" 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_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_39d6ed13-8ccd-4365-855e-fe0978a43070" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a_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_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" 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_d76dee85-8cc5-4967-ab20-ebd0fb5c5a5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_307d4104-eb54-4004-9d8e-bb19092ac36b" 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_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_307d4104-eb54-4004-9d8e-bb19092ac36b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7e1eddc6-601b-4252-af1a-df9f756f2038" 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_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_7e1eddc6-601b-4252-af1a-df9f756f2038" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_54273036-93b5-41f2-ac61-077ce8feceb8" 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_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_54273036-93b5-41f2-ac61-077ce8feceb8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_08ddbcdd-26e5-4b14-970d-a15ca46b1c95" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_CommonClassDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_8901fc62-249a-44ed-8823-354f6c299234" xlink:to="loc_cwen_CommonClassDMember_08ddbcdd-26e5-4b14-970d-a15ca46b1c95" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCFDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCFDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCFDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i54c6580cec8f4cd1bcfa11f9f986fa3d_ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCFDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_2ab5a060-3df3-4628-812c-4e43d8d576d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_2ab5a060-3df3-4628-812c-4e43d8d576d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_InvestmentinConsolidatedSubsidiaries_792697a0-49e2-46f9-842f-68077eb81527" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_InvestmentinConsolidatedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_cwen_InvestmentinConsolidatedSubsidiaries_792697a0-49e2-46f9-842f-68077eb81527" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate_c51929e1-8751-4aff-a5d3-3067d0ab9c9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate_c51929e1-8751-4aff-a5d3-3067d0ab9c9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesReceivableRelatedParties_68930f72-00dc-4c90-9557-061cda04ce2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesReceivableRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesReceivableRelatedParties_68930f72-00dc-4c90-9557-061cda04ce2e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_81185c7d-7370-40ae-bc6a-228f15aac0e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_81185c7d-7370-40ae-bc6a-228f15aac0e5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_d89e62b5-0b28-4bde-b5e5-73d3aec1c771" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_d89e62b5-0b28-4bde-b5e5-73d3aec1c771" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_f58fa793-8347-441c-bfe0-a61eec1dd860" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_f58fa793-8347-441c-bfe0-a61eec1dd860" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromAffiliates_0678ca40-0ab7-4e3c-824a-ce2b9e8ba4b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromAffiliates_0678ca40-0ab7-4e3c-824a-ce2b9e8ba4b7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_ffa6eac1-2e63-4206-894d-253c68cd6464" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_ffa6eac1-2e63-4206-894d-253c68cd6464" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_429e626b-150e-48e8-8b70-4372c1a0ee6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_429e626b-150e-48e8-8b70-4372c1a0ee6b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_8cfda4ba-de1d-414e-b8f8-77ddc2b3b568" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_8cfda4ba-de1d-414e-b8f8-77ddc2b3b568" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_2cb80bcf-2509-405f-984c-49d2c004672f" 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_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_2cb80bcf-2509-405f-984c-49d2c004672f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_5c76b4ce-bf80-4d8a-bb95-ee31003c87fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cfc62d78-b7bb-408b-9cdf-a7f1ce83aa86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_160f8ed1-098b-4356-9a1e-82fa832b2cd4" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cfc62d78-b7bb-408b-9cdf-a7f1ce83aa86" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5" 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_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cfc62d78-b7bb-408b-9cdf-a7f1ce83aa86" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5_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_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f3e5ff8b-f94a-4ff3-a748-b78e3df44589" 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_43e05780-5c58-463a-b17f-9474bacf07c5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f3e5ff8b-f94a-4ff3-a748-b78e3df44589" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_6c31247a-0d6b-4b82-9238-2efac9f573af" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f3e5ff8b-f94a-4ff3-a748-b78e3df44589" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_6c31247a-0d6b-4b82-9238-2efac9f573af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantFootnotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantFootnotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://nrgyield.com/role/ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantFootnotesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2d7fa97ba8ae46468450a5a647e1e9a6_ScheduleICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantFootnotesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_9b764a0a-c888-4452-858b-252f2dc29e83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_b8d8d214-6d65-4e0f-a034-50cfa7e3d532" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_9b764a0a-c888-4452-858b-252f2dc29e83" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationCapacityMegawatts_b8d8d214-6d65-4e0f-a034-50cfa7e3d532" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_ae042e41-36af-4542-9140-6cba9dadd679" 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_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_9b764a0a-c888-4452-858b-252f2dc29e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_ae042e41-36af-4542-9140-6cba9dadd679" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived_c7d61421-ab4b-4ace-ad9d-4f77caff00fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_9b764a0a-c888-4452-858b-252f2dc29e83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived_c7d61421-ab4b-4ace-ad9d-4f77caff00fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_9b764a0a-c888-4452-858b-252f2dc29e83" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559_default" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_6b027187-948a-4267-9694-cc4300d83954" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesByTypeAxis_17fdc1e9-3276-4089-b69f-170f1c02f559" xlink:to="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_6b027187-948a-4267-9694-cc4300d83954" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_e9f01a1a-6f1d-454e-a8de-196d2ad3cc6d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cwen_PowerGenerationFacilitiesTypeDomain_6b027187-948a-4267-9694-cc4300d83954" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ConventionalGenerationUtilityScaleSolarDistributedSolarandWindMember_e9f01a1a-6f1d-454e-a8de-196d2ad3cc6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9f9954d9-ef68-4fa5-b9f5-9eece4e8215d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_a4a8480b-d62c-4c0a-9408-dcbd5931f995" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9f9954d9-ef68-4fa5-b9f5-9eece4e8215d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_3367513f-0e00-4e4c-ad56-7418cd494a86" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9f9954d9-ef68-4fa5-b9f5-9eece4e8215d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_3367513f-0e00-4e4c-ad56-7418cd494a86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_f9413777-63bf-4e2d-8158-82e500529964" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9f9954d9-ef68-4fa5-b9f5-9eece4e8215d" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_f9413777-63bf-4e2d-8158-82e500529964" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962" 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_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962_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_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6d3fb7c9-71d4-4dcf-a600-a24b771db55e" 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_0b4b41b1-ae61-4375-b808-61ef460c8962" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6d3fb7c9-71d4-4dcf-a600-a24b771db55e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_a3ed3d8e-a3e4-449b-8572-90b9fccaac68" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6d3fb7c9-71d4-4dcf-a600-a24b771db55e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_a3ed3d8e-a3e4-449b-8572-90b9fccaac68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_2a406d70-e83e-4046-a5fc-2fdd8e3ce6c3" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_6d3fb7c9-71d4-4dcf-a600-a24b771db55e" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyInc.Member_2a406d70-e83e-4046-a5fc-2fdd8e3ce6c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44" 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_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_667af2d5-56ec-4f92-81ef-a46319b1d71b" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44_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_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_05e2fafe-02dc-427b-bf1c-1a2581d9eb34" 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_8812b3dd-5701-4327-94d7-36800440ef44" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_05e2fafe-02dc-427b-bf1c-1a2581d9eb34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_5dfa557e-b31e-4c5a-aa1c-d97d4245413d" xlink:href="cwen-20211231.xsd#cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_05e2fafe-02dc-427b-bf1c-1a2581d9eb34" xlink:to="loc_cwen_ClearwayEnergyLLCMember_5dfa557e-b31e-4c5a-aa1c-d97d4245413d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-roles-2021-01-31.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
