Note 1 - General and Basis of Presentation - Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma Information Related to a Business Combination (Details) - U.S. Geothermal [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Revenues	$ 181,123	$ 185,675	$ 373,619	$ 384,010
Operating profit	36,200	53,238	89,219	114,753
Electricity Segment [Member]
Revenues	$ 125,003	$ 117,207	$ 265,965	$ 241,420

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463

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