Long-term Debt - Debt Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | | |
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Oct. 31, 2016 | Jul. 15, 2016 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term debt — affiliate | $ 618 | $ 618 | [1] | | |
Long-term Debt | 5,782 | 5,678 | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt — external | 282 | 264 | [1] | | |
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities | 5,446 | 5,361 | | | |
5.375% Senior Notes due in 2024 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Senior Notes | $ 500 | 500 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.375% | | | | |
5.00% Senior Notes due in 2026 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Senior Notes | $ 350 | 0 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.00% | | | | |
Intercompany Credit Agreement due 2019 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term debt — affiliate | $ 337 | 337 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.58% | | | | |
Intercompany Credit Agreement due 2020 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term debt — affiliate | $ 281 | 281 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.325% | | | | |
NRG Yield Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 0 | 306 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 1 month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.50% | | | | |
Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 242 | 252 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 7.015% | | | | |
Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 191 | 198 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.696% | | | | |
Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 198 | 206 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 6.067% | | | | |
Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 128 | 133 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.938% | | | | |
Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 206 | 213 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 6.071% | | | | |
Alta Realty Investments, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 31 | 33 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 7.00% | | | | |
Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 18 | 19 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3 month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.375% | | | | |
West Holdings Credit Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 443 | 485 | | | |
Marsh Landing Term Loan Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | 370 | 418 | | | |
Walnut Creek Energy, LLC, due in 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 310 | 351 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 1 month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
Tapestry Wind LLC due in 2021 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 172 | 181 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Senior Secured Notes [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 96 | 108 | | | |
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 125 | 0 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.55% | | | 3.55% | |
Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC, due in 2026 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 100 | 104 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.875% | | | | |
South Trent Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 57 | $ 62 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
Avra Valley [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.75% | | | | |
Avra Valley Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 57 | $ 60 | | | |
High Desert Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | 49 | 52 | | | |
WCEP Holdings, LLC, due in 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 46 | 46 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 3.00% | | | | |
Other Debt [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 0 | 2 | | | |
Roadrunner Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 37 | 40 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
Kansas South Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 6 month LIBOR | | | | |
Kansas South Facility, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 30 | $ 33 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.00% | | | | |
NRG Solar Blythe LLC Credit Agreement Due 2028 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 19 | $ 21 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
PFMG Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 27 | 29 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 6.00% | | | | |
Viento Funding II, Inc., due in 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 178 | 189 | | | |
Project [Domain] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 4,314 | $ 4,254 | | | |
Marsh Landing Tranche A due December 2017 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.75% | | | | |
Marsh Landing Tranche B due 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.875% | | | | |
Alpine Financing Agreement, due 2022 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 145 | $ 154 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Senior Secured Notes, due 2017 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.95% | | | | |
NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Senior Secured Notes, due 2025 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 7.25% | | | | |
Borrego Financing Agreement, due 2024 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 69 | 72 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.50% | | | | |
Borrego Financing Agreement, due 2038 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 5.65% | | | | |
High Desert Facility, due 2033 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 3-Month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.50% | | | | |
TA - High Desert, due 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 5.15% | | | | |
CVSR Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 771 | 793 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | | | | | 4.68% |
CVSR Holdco due 2037 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Long-term Debt | $ 199 | $ 0 | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 4.68% | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | NRG Yield Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | $ 60 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind I, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 16 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind II, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 27 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind III, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 27 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind IV, lease financing arrangement, due 2034 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 19 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind V, lease financing arrangement, due 2035 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 30 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Realty Investments, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alta Wind Asset Management, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | West Holdings Credit Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 82 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Marsh Landing Term Loan Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 22 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Walnut Creek Energy, LLC, due in 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 41 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Tapestry Wind LLC due in 2021 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 20 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC Senior Secured Notes [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | NRG Energy Center Minneapolis Series D Notes [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC, due in 2026 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 10 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | South Trent Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 10 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Avra Valley Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 3 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | High Desert Facility [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 8 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | WCEP Holdings LLC [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Roadrunner Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 5 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Kansas South Facility, due 2031 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 4 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | NRG Solar Blythe LLC Credit Agreement Due 2028 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 6 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | PFMG Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Viento Funding II, Inc., due in 2023 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 27 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Alpine Financing Agreement, due 2022 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 37 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | Borrego Financing Agreement, due 2024 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 5 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | CVSR Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 0 | | | | |
Letter of Credit [Member] | CVSR Holdco due 2037 [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | $ 13 | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | West Holdings Credit Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis | 1 month LIBOR | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | West Holdings Credit Agreement due 2023 Tranche A [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.625% | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | West Holdings Credit Agreement due 2023 Tranche B [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 2.25% | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | Alpine Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.75% | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | Alpine [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | |
Minimum [Member] | CVSR Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 2.339% | | | | |
Maximum [Member] | West Holdings Credit Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | |
Maximum [Member] | Alpine Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | |
Maximum [Member] | Alpine [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | | | | | |
Maximum [Member] | CVSR Financing Agreement [Member] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | | | | | |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.775% | | | | |
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[1] | (a) Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business. |