Debt Instrument, Cash Held by Paying Agent

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Number Of Tranches

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Sales Price, Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest Expense on Long-Term Liabilities, Net of Proceeds

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Number of Banks

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4845-128472

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of interest payable on debt, including, but not limited to, trade payables.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from a borrowing with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with maturities due beyond one year or the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of a short-term obligation that has been excluded from current liabilities in the balance sheet because of a refinancing of the obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1927-112601

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_LitchfieldParkServiceCompanyBondsMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_ShadyOaksWindFacilityLoanFacilityMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_APUCSeniorUnsecuredRevolvingFacilityMaturingNovember2017Member
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_LibertyUtilitiesSeniorUnsecuredRevolvingFacilityMaturingSeptember2018Member
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_AcquisitionFacilityMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_DebtBridgeFacilityMember
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_EquityBridgeFacilityMember
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Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_SeniorUnsecuredDebentureDueFebruary2027Member
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aqunf_BellaVistaWaterLoansMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Narrative (Detail)										12 Months Ended
- Narrative (Detail)	Mar. 01, 2017 USD ($) Tranche	Feb. 08, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 07, 2017 CAD	Jan. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 15, 2015 USD ($)	May 12, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($) Tranche	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD	Dec. 31, 2015 CAD	Jan. 17, 2017 CAD	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 08, 2016 CAD Tranche	Jan. 08, 2016 USD ($) Tranche	Jan. 04, 2016 USD ($) bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt \| CAD										CAD 68,423,000	CAD 196,149,000
Interest on long term debt \| CAD										25,520,000	25,161,000
Interest expense during the year on long-term liabilities \| CAD										87,143,000	CAD 72,213,000
Short-term debt, refinanced amount \| CAD										1,861,788,000
Senior Unsecured Thirty Year Note via Private Placement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of senior long-term debt							$ 70,000,000		$ 90,000,000
Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value														$ 500,000,000
Bonds \| LPSCo Water Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt						$ 9,800,000
Senior Debt \| Senior Unsecured Thirty Year Note via Private Placement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term									30 years
Par value									$ 160,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate									4.13%
Debt instrument, number of tranches \| Tranche									2
Senior Debt \| Shady Oaks Wind Facility, Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt								$ 76,000,000
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity										CAD 50,000			$ 30,000
Debt instrument, term										1 year
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average coupon										0.00%			0.00%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Unsecured Notes \| APUC Senior Unsecured Revolving Facility Maturing November 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity													$ 65,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Unsecured Notes \| Liberty Utilities Senior Unsecured Revolving Facility Maturing September 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity													$ 200,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Senior Unsecured Notes \| Algonquin Power Senior Unsecured Revolving Facility Maturing July 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity \| CAD										CAD 350,000,000
Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																	$ 235,000
Line of credit facility, number of banks \| bank																	2
Line of Credit \| Acquisition Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceed from long-term lines of credit					$ 1,336,440,000
Debt instrument, cash held by paying agent					1,495,774,000
Line of Credit \| Bridge Loan \| Acquisition Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceed from long-term lines of credit					1,336,440,000
Line of Credit \| Bridge Loan \| Debt Bridge Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					1,065,000,000
Line of Credit \| Bridge Loan \| Equity Bridge Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 271,440,000
Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 750,000,000
Debt instrument, number of tranches \| Tranche	6
Weighted average coupon	4.00%
Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes \| Senior Unsecured Debenture Due February 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value \| CAD												CAD 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate												4.09%
Debt instrument, sales price ratio												0.99864
Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes \| Bella Vista Water Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt		$ 707,000
Subsequent Event \| Line of Credit \| Acquisition Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt \| CAD			CAD 567,650,000
Subsequent Event \| Line of Credit \| Bridge Loan \| Acquisition Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceed from long-term lines of credit				$ 1,336,440,000
Park Water Company
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination, long-term debt assumed \| CAD															CAD 146,727,000
Park Water Company \| Bonds \| First Mortgage Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination, long-term debt assumed																$ 65,000,000
Debt instrument, number of tranches \| Tranche															6	6
Park Water Company \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination, long-term debt assumed																$ 4,250,000
Park Water Company \| Line of Credit \| Non-Revolving Term Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business combination, long-term debt assumed																$ 22,500,000
Minimum \| Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term	3 years
Minimum \| Park Water Company \| Bonds \| First Mortgage Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate															4.53%	4.53%
Maximum \| Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term	30 years
Maximum \| Park Water Company \| Bonds \| First Mortgage Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate															8.82%	8.82%
Weighted Average \| Subsequent Event \| Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term	15 years