Acquisitions Schedule of Amounts Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Sep. 30, 2015 |
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Sep. 30, 2015 |
|
| Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||||
| Total revenue | $ 91,914 | $ 89,697 | $ 272,991 | $ 239,234 |
| Total expenses | 14,744 | 9,105 | 38,503 | 27,625 |
| Net loss | (11,050) | (35,332) | (55,744) | (51,734) |
| Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (7,037) | (5,927) | (24,838) | (16,747) |
| Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy | $ (4,013) | (29,405) | $ (30,906) | (34,987) |
| Lost Creek And Post Rock | ||||
| Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||||
| Total revenue | 10,081 | 15,253 | ||
| Total expenses | 15,197 | 21,547 | ||
| Net loss | (5,116) | (6,294) | ||
| Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,965) | (2,765) | ||
| Net loss attributable to Pattern Energy | $ (3,151) | $ (3,529) | ||