Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ($242 and $109 attributable to VIEs)	$ 941	$ 1,284
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $5 and $6	552	437
Margin deposits and other prepaid expense	309	244
Restricted cash, current ($100 and $53 attributable to VIEs)	203	193
Derivative assets, current	445	339
Inventory and other current assets	406	335
Total current assets	2,856	2,832
Property, plant and equipment, net ($4,191 and $4,192 attributable to VIEs)	12,995	13,005
Restricted cash, net of current portion ($68 and $59 attributable to VIEs)	69	60
Investments in power plants	93	81
Long-term derivative assets	105	98
Other assets	441	473
Total assets	16,559	16,549
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	462	382
Accrued interest payable	162	180
Debt, current portion ($140 and $39 attributable to VIEs)	204	115
Derivative liabilities, current	451	357
Income taxes payable	7	11
Other current liabilities	245	273
Total current liabilities	1,531	1,318
Debt, net of current portion ($2,923 and $2,660 attributable to VIEs)	10,908	10,635
Long-term derivative liabilities	243	293
Other long-term liabilities	309	247
Total liabilities	12,991	12,493
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares, none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; authorized 1,400,000,000 shares, 497,841,056 shares issued and 429,038,988 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013, and 492,495,100 shares issued and 457,048,970 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012	1	1
Treasury stock, at cost, 68,802,068 and 35,446,130 shares, respectively	(1,230)	(594)
Additional paid-in capital	12,389	12,335
Accumulated deficit	(7,486)	(7,500)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(160)	(228)
Total Calpine stockholders’ equity	3,514	4,014
Noncontrolling interest	54	42
Total stockholders’ equity	3,568	4,056
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 16,559	$ 16,549