Capital Structure (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Changes in NRG's common shares issued and outstanding

The following table reflects the changes in NRG's common shares issued and outstanding for each period presented:

	Common
	Issued	Treasury		Outstanding
Balance as of December 31, 2011	304,183,720	(76,664,199	)	227,519,521
Shares issued under ESPP	—	158,481		158,481
Shares issued from LTIP	996,262	—		996,262
Shares issued through GenOn acquisition	93,932,634	—		93,932,634
Balance as of December 31, 2012	399,112,616	(76,505,718	)	322,606,898
Shares issued under ESPP	—	130,482		130,482
Shares issued under LTIPs	2,014,164	—		2,014,164
Share repurchases	—	(972,292	)	(972,292	)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	401,126,780	(77,347,528	)	323,779,252
Shares issued under ESPP	—	128,336		128,336
Shares issued under LTIPs	1,707,419	—		1,707,419
Shares issued in connection with the EME acquisition	12,671,977	—		12,671,977
Share repurchases	—	(1,624,360	)	(1,624,360	)
Balance as of December 31, 2014	415,506,176	(78,843,552	)	336,662,624

NRG's common stock reserved for the maximum number of shares potentially issuable based on the conversion and redemption features of outstanding equity instruments and the long-term incentive plans

The following table summarizes NRG's common stock reserved for the maximum number of shares potentially issuable based on the conversion and redemption features of outstanding equity instruments and the long-term incentive plans as of December 31, 2014:

Equity Instrument	Common Stock Reserve Balance
2.822% Convertible perpetual preferred	16,000,000
Long-term incentive plans	19,413,743
Total	35,413,743

Dividends paid per common share

The following table lists the dividends paid per common share during 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	Fourth Quarter		Third Quarter		Second Quarter		First Quarter
2014	$	0.14	$	0.14	$	0.14	$	0.12
2013	$	0.12	$	0.12	$	0.12	$	0.09
2012	$	0.09	$	0.09	$	—	$	—