Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Comprehensive income (loss) table [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (70)	$ (114)	$ (366)	$ (162)
Gain on cash flow hedges	(17)	(71)	14	30
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges realized in net loss	(31)	8	44	22
Foreign currency translation gain	(1)	(2)
Income tax (expense) benefit	18	(23)	(16)	(9)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(101)	(202)	(324)	(119)
Add: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1)	(1)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Calpine	$ (101)	$ (203)	$ (325)	$ (119)

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Pre tax adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains (losses). Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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- Definition

Tax effect of the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), that is, the tax effect on items included in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

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Pre tax reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk.

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Pre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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