No definition available.

Name:	cpn_OutstandingClaimsRelatedToGuarantees
Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
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Term of Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Lower Limit

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	cpn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Term of Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Upper Limit

No definition available.

Name:	cpn_TermofUnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationUpperLimit
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The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expense related to royalty payments under a contractual arrangement such as payment for mineral and drilling rights and use of technology or intellectual property.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Amount of the unrecorded obligation to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices (for example, as in take-or-pay contracts or throughput contracts).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 440

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25336-109308

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	cpn_OperatingLeaseAssetsAxis=us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember
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