Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (55,607)	$ (39,999)	$ 10,072
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation, net of zero tax impact	(28,947)	(10,875)	(8,309)
Derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $1,860, $1,138 and $0, respectively	(16,163)	(33,444)	24,932
Reclassifications to net loss due to termination/de-designation of interest rate derivatives, net of zero tax impact	17,139	0	0
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $670, $404 and $0, respectively	12,234	13,774	11,943
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	13,210	(19,670)	36,875
Proportionate share of equity investee's derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax benefit (provision) of $2,394, $1,855 and ($615), respectively	(6,640)	(5,991)	2,473
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $870, $0 and $0, respectively	2,412	0	0
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	(4,228)	(5,991)	2,473
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(19,965)	(36,536)	31,039
Comprehensive (loss) income	(75,572)	(76,535)	41,111
Less comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest:
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23,074)	(8,709)	(6,887)
Derivative activity:
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $185, $341 and $0, respectively	(1,740)	(3,422)	3,184
Reclassifications to net loss, net of tax impact of $201, $121 and 0, respectively	2,088	3,601	1,904
Total change in effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives	348	179	5,088
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(22,726)	(8,530)	(1,799)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Pattern Energy	$ (52,846)	$ (68,005)	$ 42,910