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	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues	$ 166,480	$ 157,185	$ 540,099	$ 548,007
Operating income	25,902	43,210	115,582	157,609
Electricity Segment [Member]
Revenues	$ 116,891	$ 117,688	$ 382,856	$ 359,108

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