Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (24)	$ 21	$ (218)	$ 14
Cash flow hedging activities:
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges before reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges realized in net income (loss)	(17)	2	(40)	(16)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on cash flow hedges realized in net income (loss)	11	12	22	24
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	0	4	12	(8)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(6)	18	(6)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(30)	39	(224)	14
Comprehensive (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(5)	(4)	(7)	(6)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Calpine	$ (35)	$ 35	$ (231)	$ 8