Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating revenues:
Commodity revenue	$ 6,374	$ 5,417	$ 6,753
Unrealized mark-to-market gain (loss)	(86)	48	35
Other revenue	13	13	12
Operating revenues	6,301	5,478	6,800
Operating expenses:
Commodity expense	3,808	2,894	4,299
Unrealized mark-to-market (gain) loss	(72)	130	60
Fuel and purchased energy expense	3,736	3,024	4,359
Plant operating expense	895	922	904
Depreciation and amortization expense	609	562	550
Sales, general and other administrative expense	136	140	131
Other operating expenses	81	78	77
Total operating expenses	5,457	4,726	6,021
(Gain) on sale of assets, net	0	(222)	0
(Income) from unconsolidated investments in power plants	(30)	(28)	(21)
Income from operations	874	1,002	800
Interest expense	696	736	760
Loss on interest rate derivatives	0	14	145
Interest (income)	(6)	(11)	(9)
Debt extinguishment costs	144	30	94
Other (income) expense, net	20	15	21
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	20	218	(211)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2	19	(22)
Net income (loss)	18	199	(189)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(4)	0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Calpine	$ 14	$ 199	$ (190)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Calpine:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	440,666	467,752	485,381
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Calpine — basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.43	$ (0.39)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Calpine:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	444,773	471,343	485,381
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Calpine — diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.42	$ (0.39)