Note 19 - Business Segments (Details) - Long Lived Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	$ 1,803,274	$ 1,715,877	$ 1,956,346
North America [Member]
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	1,387,449	1,358,877	1,686,088
Latin America [Member]
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	63,972	67,536	81,472
Africa [Member]
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	338,395	274,395	174,854
Europe [Member]
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	12,787	14,859	13,932
Pacific Rim and Far East [Member]
Long-lived assets (primarily power plants and related assets) located in:
Long-Lived Assets	$ 671	$ 210