Corporate debt, Movement in corporate debt, split between cash and non-cash items (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Corporate debt [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 668,201
Cash flow	(68,372)
Non-cash changes	43,254
Ending balance	$ 643,083

The change due to non-cash charges in current and non-current portions of credit facilities with financial entities, notes and bonds received at the corporate parent level during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	aby_MovementInLongTermAndShortTermCorporateDebtNonCashCharges
Namespace Prefix:	aby_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration