$CNP
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Stock $cnp

$cnp Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2020 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000113031021000009 Filed on February 25, 2021

Income Statement

Concept	2020	2019 Q4	2018 Q4
Revenue	$7.418B	$2.019B	$1.666B
YoY Change	-1.93%	21.19%	-36.85%
Cost Of Revenue	$257.0M
YoY Change	0.0%
Gross Profit	$7.161B
YoY Change	-2.0%
Gross Profit Margin	96.54%
Selling, General & Admin
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$1.189B	$305.0M	$261.0M
YoY Change	-2.94%	16.86%	-9.06%
% of Gross Profit	16.6%
Operating Expenses	$6.194B	$1.745B	-$1.480B
YoY Change	-4.6%	-217.91%	-163.52%
Operating Profit	$1.039B	$274.0M	$192.0M
YoY Change	-2.99%	42.71%	-37.66%
Interest Expense	-$1.964B	-$128.0M	$4.000M
YoY Change	-471.97%	-3300.0%	-95.45%
% of Operating Profit	-189.03%	-46.72%	2.08%
Other Income/Expense, Net	-$476.0M	$8.000M	$10.00M
YoY Change	-9.51%	-20.0%	-109.09%
Pretax Income	$563.0M	$154.0M	$218.0M
YoY Change	3.3%	-29.36%	-23.78%
Income Tax	$80.00M	$17.00M	$70.00M
% Of Pretax Income	14.21%	11.04%	32.11%
Net Earnings	-$773.0M	$157.0M	$120.0M
YoY Change	-197.72%	30.83%	-90.74%
Net Earnings / Revenue	-10.42%	7.78%	7.2%
Basic Earnings Per Share	-$1.79	$0.25	$0.18
Diluted Earnings Per Share	-$1.79	$0.25	$0.18
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	531.0M shares	502.2M shares	501.2M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	531.0M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2020	2019 Q4	2018 Q4
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$1.018B	$1.063B	$4.771B
YoY Change	-4.23%	-77.72%	291.07%
Cash & Equivalents	$147.0M	$241.0M	$4.231B
Short-Term Investments	$871.0M	$822.0M	$540.0M
Other Short-Term Assets	$644.0M	$1.594B	$670.0M
YoY Change	-59.6%	137.91%	-13.88%
Inventory	$500.0M	$472.0M	$394.0M
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables	$676.0M	$702.0M	$586.0M
Other Receivables	$82.00M	$106.0M	$0.00
Total Short-Term Assets	$2.920B	$3.937B	$7.108B
YoY Change	-25.83%	-44.61%	109.37%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$22.39B	$20.62B	$14.02B
YoY Change	8.41%	47.07%	7.4%
Goodwill		$4.882B	$757.0M
YoY Change		544.91%	-12.69%
Intangibles		$321.0M	$65.00M
YoY Change		393.85%
Long-Term Investments	$1.146B	$2.408B	$2.482B
YoY Change	-58.64%	-2.98%	0.4%
Other Assets	$2.265B	$236.0M	$159.0M
YoY Change	-29.79%	48.43%	-16.75%
Total Long-Term Assets	$30.55B	$31.59B	$19.99B
YoY Change	-3.3%	58.08%	3.33%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$2.920B	$3.937B	$7.108B
Total Long-Term Assets	$30.55B	$31.59B	$19.99B
Total Assets	$33.47B	$35.53B	$27.09B
YoY Change	-5.79%	31.14%	19.16%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$853.0M	$884.0M	$761.0M
YoY Change	-3.51%	16.16%	-20.98%
Accrued Expenses	$151.0M	$158.0M	$121.0M
YoY Change	-8.48%	30.58%	16.35%
Deferred Revenue		$124.0M	$84.00M
YoY Change		47.62%
Short-Term Debt	$24.00M	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change			-100.0%
Long-Term Debt Due	$1.895B	$868.0M	$482.0M
YoY Change	118.32%	80.08%	-20.46%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.825B	$3.978B	$3.385B
YoY Change	21.29%	17.52%	10.3%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$11.52B	$14.24B	$8.682B
YoY Change	-19.12%	64.06%	5.94%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$5.174B	$738.0M	$403.0M
YoY Change	3.07%	83.13%	12.89%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$16.70B	$14.98B	$9.085B
YoY Change	-13.34%	64.91%	6.23%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.825B	$3.978B	$3.385B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$16.70B	$14.98B	$9.085B
Total Liabilities	$25.12B	$18.96B	$12.47B
YoY Change	-7.53%	52.04%	7.31%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings		$632.0M	$349.0M
YoY Change		81.09%	-35.73%
Common Stock		$5.000M	$5.000M
YoY Change		0.0%	25.0%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$8.348B	$8.359B	$8.058B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$33.47B	$35.53B	$27.09B
YoY Change	-5.79%	31.14%	19.16%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2020	2019 Q4	2018 Q4
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	-$773.0M	$157.0M	$120.0M
YoY Change	-197.72%	30.83%	-90.74%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$1.189B	$305.0M	$261.0M
YoY Change	-2.94%	16.86%	-9.06%
Cash From Operating Activities	$1.995B	$552.0M	$457.0M
YoY Change	21.79%	20.79%	17.48%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	-$2.596B	-$684.0M	-$530.0M
YoY Change	3.59%	29.06%	22.69%
Acquisitions	$0.00
YoY Change	-100.0%
Other Investing Activities	-$36.00M	$38.00M	-$3.000M
YoY Change	5.88%	-1366.67%	-104.17%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$1.265B	-$646.0M	-$533.0M
YoY Change	-84.98%	21.2%	48.06%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net	$672.0M
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net	$1.724B
YoY Change	32.41%
Cash From Financing Activities	-$834.0M	68.00M	4.023B
YoY Change	-130.04%	-98.31%	11732.35%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	$1.995B	552.0M	457.0M
Cash From Investing Activities	-$1.265B	-646.0M	-533.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-$834.0M	68.00M	4.023B
Net Change In Cash	-$104.0M	-26.00M	3.947B
YoY Change	-97.4%	-100.66%	6165.08%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$1.995B	$552.0M	$457.0M
Capital Expenditures	-$2.596B	-$684.0M	-$530.0M
Free Cash Flow	$4.591B	$1.236B	$987.0M
YoY Change	10.79%	25.23%	20.22%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2020	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0001130310
CY2020	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2020	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2020-12-31
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2020
CY2020	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2020	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2020	dei	Entity Incorporation State Country Code EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode	TX
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CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction Period1 RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction Period1 RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1	P1Y
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation Expected Timing Of Satisfaction Period1 RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1
CY2020	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2020	dei	Document Annual Report DocumentAnnualReport	true
CY2020	dei	Document Transition Report DocumentTransitionReport	false
CY2020	dei	Entity File Number EntityFileNumber	1-31447
CY2020	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CY2020	dei	Entity Tax Identification Number EntityTaxIdentificationNumber	74-0694415
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Address Line1 EntityAddressAddressLine1	1111 Louisiana
CY2020	dei	Entity Address City Or Town EntityAddressCityOrTown	Houston,
CY2020	dei	Entity Address State Or Province EntityAddressStateOrProvince	TX
CY2020	dei	Entity Address Postal Zip Code EntityAddressPostalZipCode	77002
CY2020	dei	City Area Code CityAreaCode	(713)
CY2020	dei	Local Phone Number LocalPhoneNumber	207-1111
CY2020	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2020	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Shell Company EntityShellCompany	false
CY2020Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	10142624694	USD
CY2020	dei	Entity Interactive Data Current EntityInteractiveDataCurrent	Yes
CY2020	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2020	dei	Entity Small Business EntitySmallBusiness	false
CY2020	dei	Entity Emerging Growth Company EntityEmergingGrowthCompany	false
CY2020	dei	Icfr Auditor Attestation Flag IcfrAuditorAttestationFlag	true
CY2021Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	551579922	shares
CY2020	us-gaap	Regulated Operating Revenue RegulatedOperatingRevenue	7049000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Regulated Operating Revenue RegulatedOperatingRevenue	7202000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Regulated Operating Revenue RegulatedOperatingRevenue	6199000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Unregulated Operating Revenue UnregulatedOperatingRevenue	369000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unregulated Operating Revenue UnregulatedOperatingRevenue	362000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unregulated Operating Revenue UnregulatedOperatingRevenue	78000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Utilities Operating Expense Maintenance Operations And Other Costs And Expenses UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceOperationsAndOtherCostsAndExpenses	2744000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Utilities Operating Expense Maintenance Operations And Other Costs And Expenses UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceOperationsAndOtherCostsAndExpenses	2775000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Taxes Excluding Income And Excise Taxes TaxesExcludingIncomeAndExciseTaxes	516000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	6379000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	1039000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	1071000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	868000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Gain Loss MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss	49000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Gain Loss MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss	282000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Gain Loss MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss	-22000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Gain Loss On Indexed Debt Securities GainLossOnIndexedDebtSecurities	-60000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Gain Loss On Indexed Debt Securities GainLossOnIndexedDebtSecurities	-292000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Gain Loss On Indexed Debt Securities GainLossOnIndexedDebtSecurities	-232000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest And Debt Expense InterestAndDebtExpense	501000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest And Debt Expense InterestAndDebtExpense	528000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest And Debt Expense InterestAndDebtExpense	361000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Interest On Transition And System Restoration Bonds InterestOnTransitionAndSystemRestorationBonds	28000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Interest On Transition And System Restoration Bonds InterestOnTransitionAndSystemRestorationBonds	39000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Interest On Transition And System Restoration Bonds InterestOnTransitionAndSystemRestorationBonds	59000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	307000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Interest Income Other InterestIncomeOther	3000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Income Other InterestIncomeOther	17000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Income Other InterestIncomeOther	24000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Interest Incomeon Transitionand System Restoration Bonds InterestIncomeonTransitionandSystemRestorationBonds	1000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Interest Incomeon Transitionand System Restoration Bonds InterestIncomeonTransitionandSystemRestorationBonds	5000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Interest Incomeon Transitionand System Restoration Bonds InterestIncomeonTransitionandSystemRestorationBonds	4000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	60000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	28000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	22000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Nonoperating Income Expense NonoperatingIncomeExpense	-1904000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Nonoperating Income Expense NonoperatingIncomeExpense	-297000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Nonoperating Income Expense NonoperatingIncomeExpense	-317000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest	-865000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-274000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	396000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	21000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	46000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	-9000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	791000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax Per Basic Share DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.22
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CY2020	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-1.79
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CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.74
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CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	502000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	449000000	shares
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CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	505000000	shares
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CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	791000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	368000000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Before Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax	-1000000	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax	0	USD
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CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	6000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Investments PaymentsToAcquireInvestments	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-36000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-35000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-16000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1265000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-8421000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1207000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Other Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfOtherDebt	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Other Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfOtherDebt	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Other Debt ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfOtherDebt	-39000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit	1050000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit	135000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	1050000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	135000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Commercial Paper ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfCommercialPaper	-761000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Commercial Paper ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfCommercialPaper	1891000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Commercial Paper ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfCommercialPaper	-1543000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	799000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	2916000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	2495000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	1724000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	1302000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	484000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payment Of Financing And Stock Issuance Costs PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts	8000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payment Of Financing And Stock Issuance Costs PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts	20000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payment Of Financing And Stock Issuance Costs PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts	47000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	392000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	577000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	499000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	137000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	118000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	11000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	672000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	1844000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	723000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Preferred Stock And Preference Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock	1740000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Distribution To Zens Holders DistributionToZENSHolders	0	USD
CY2019	cnp	Distribution To Zens Holders DistributionToZENSHolders	0	USD
CY2018	cnp	Distribution To Zens Holders DistributionToZENSHolders	398000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-6000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-14000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-5000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-834000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2776000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	3053000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Excluding Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect	-104000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Excluding Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect	-4007000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Excluding Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect	3982000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	271000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	4278000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	296000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	167000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	271000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	4278000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	20000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	1000000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	1000000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	1000000000	shares
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	8348000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	8359000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	8058000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CY2020	us-gaap	Guarantees Indemnifications And Warranties Policies GuaranteesIndemnificationsAndWarrantiesPolicies	GuaranteesCenterPoint Energy recognizes guarantee obligations at fair value. CenterPoint Energy discloses parent company guarantees of a subsidiary’s obligation when that guarantee results in the exposure of a material obligation of the parent company even if the probability of fulfilling such obligation is considered remote. See Note 16(c) and (d).
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	32514000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lifo Inventory Amount LIFOInventoryAmount	92000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lifo Inventory Amount LIFOInventoryAmount	97000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Excess Of Replacement Or Current Costs Over Stated Lifo Value ExcessOfReplacementOrCurrentCostsOverStatedLIFOValue	62000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	10152000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	22362000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	30324000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	9700000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	20624000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	961000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	879000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	623000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Amortization Of Regulatory Asset AmortizationOfRegulatoryAsset	155000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Amortization Of Regulatory Asset AmortizationOfRegulatoryAsset	271000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Amortization Of Regulatory Asset AmortizationOfRegulatoryAsset	531000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Adjustment For Amortization AdjustmentForAmortization	73000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Adjustment For Amortization AdjustmentForAmortization	75000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Adjustment For Amortization AdjustmentForAmortization	76000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	1189000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	1225000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	1230000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation AssetRetirementObligation	539000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation AssetRetirementObligation	258000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Asset Retirement Obligation Additionfrom Mergerwith Vectren AssetRetirementObligationAdditionfromMergerwithVectren	0	USD
CY2019	cnp	Asset Retirement Obligation Additionfrom Mergerwith Vectren AssetRetirementObligationAdditionfromMergerwithVectren	116000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense	16000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense	16000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimate	232000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimate	149000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation AssetRetirementObligation	787000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation AssetRetirementObligation	539000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable Net DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet	637000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Accrued Unbilled Revenues DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedUnbilledRevenues	117000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Inventory Current DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInventoryCurrent	67000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Materials And Supplies DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationMaterialsAndSupplies	6000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Non Trading Derivative Assets DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNonTradingDerivativeAssets	136000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Current Assets DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets	39000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	1002000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Property Plant And Equipment Noncurrent DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNoncurrent	321000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Goodwill Noncurrent DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillNoncurrent	282000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Non Trading Derivative Assets Non Current DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNonTradingDerivativeAssetsNonCurrent	58000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Noncurrent Assets DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentAssets	301000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Assets Noncurrent DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetsNoncurrent	962000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation	1964000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Accounts Payable DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayable	344000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Accrued Income Taxes Payable DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedIncomeTaxesPayable	2000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Discontinued Operation Non Trading Derivative Liabilities DisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationNonTradingDerivativeLiabilities	44000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Current Liabilities DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentLiabilities	65000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	455000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Non Trading Derivative Liabilities Non Current DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNonTradingDerivativeLiabilitiesNonCurrent	14000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Pension Plan Benefit Obligation Noncurrent DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPensionPlanBenefitObligationNoncurrent	4000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Noncurrent Liabilities DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentLiabilities	25000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Noncurrent LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNoncurrent	43000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation	498000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue	1417000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue	4957000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue	4503000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Costs Of Goods Sold DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold	1158000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Costs Of Goods Sold DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold	3906000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Costs Of Goods Sold DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold	4459000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operation And Maintenance Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperationAndMaintenanceExpense	218000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operation And Maintenance Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperationAndMaintenanceExpense	782000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operation And Maintenance Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperationAndMaintenanceExpense	66000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Depreciation And Amortization DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Depreciation And Amortization DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization	62000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Depreciation And Amortization DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization	13000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Taxes Other Than Income Taxes DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTaxesOtherThanIncomeTaxes	4000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Taxes Other Than Income Taxes DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTaxesOtherThanIncomeTaxes	4000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Taxes Other Than Income Taxes DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTaxesOtherThanIncomeTaxes	2000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Goodwill Impairment Loss DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillImpairmentLoss	0	USD
CY2019	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Goodwill Impairment Loss DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillImpairmentLoss	48000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Goodwill Impairment Loss DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwillImpairmentLoss	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operating Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense	1380000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operating Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense	4802000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operating Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense	4540000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	37000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	155000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-37000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	-198000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability Revenue Recognized ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized	30000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	0	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	21000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	46000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	-9000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-182000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	109000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-28000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	7350000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Other Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax OtherRevenueExcludingAssessedTax	68000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	7418000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	7511000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Other Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax OtherRevenueExcludingAssessedTax	53000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	7564000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	6282000000	USD
CY2018	cnp	Other Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax OtherRevenueExcludingAssessedTax	-5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	6277000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Lease Income LeaseIncome	6000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Lease Income LeaseIncome	6000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Accounts Receivablefor Contractswith Customers AccountsReceivableforContractswithCustomers	566000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unbilled Contracts Receivable UnbilledContractsReceivable	469000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Asset Net Current ContractWithCustomerAssetNetCurrent	6000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	30000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cnp	Accounts Receivablefor Contractswith Customers AccountsReceivableforContractswithCustomers	604000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unbilled Contracts Receivable UnbilledContractsReceivable	505000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Asset Net Current ContractWithCustomerAssetNetCurrent	27000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	18000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Increase Decreasein Accounts Receivableon Contractswith Customers IncreaseDecreaseinAccountsReceivableonContractswithCustomers	38000000	USD
CY2020	cnp	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Asset Other Accrued Unbilled Receivables IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerAssetOtherAccruedUnbilledReceivables	36000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Asset IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerAsset	21000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Contract With Customer Liability IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability	-12000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	267000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	570000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	837000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	24000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	18000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Provision For Doubtful Accounts ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts	16000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Two FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Three FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Four FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour	5000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Five FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive	5000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Securitized Regulatory Transition Assets Noncurrent SecuritizedRegulatoryTransitionAssetsNoncurrent	633000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cnp	Unrecognized Equity Return UnrecognizedEquityReturn	150000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Unamortized Loss Reacquired Debt Noncurrent UnamortizedLossReacquiredDebtNoncurrent	57000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	4882000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	4697000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	68000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	18000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	50000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	68000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	10000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	58000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Next Twelve Months FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets Noncurrent RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent	2094000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets RegulatoryAssets	2127000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liability Noncurrent RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent	3448000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liabilities RegulatoryLiabilities	3520000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Net Regulatory Assets NetRegulatoryAssets	-1393000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Securitized Regulatory Transition Assets Noncurrent SecuritizedRegulatoryTransitionAssetsNoncurrent	788000000	USD
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CY2018	cnp	Rou Asset Obtained In Exchangefor Operating Lease Liability Including Transition Impactof Asc842 Adoption ROUAssetObtainedInExchangeforOperatingLeaseLiabilityIncludingTransitionImpactofASC842Adoption	0	USD
CY2020	cnp	Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature	32000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature	0	USD
CY2018	cnp	Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature Noncashtransactionbeneficialconversionfeature	0	USD
CY2020	cnp	Amortizationof Beneficial Conversion Feature AmortizationofBeneficialConversionFeature	32000000	USD
CY2019	cnp	Amortizationof Beneficial Conversion Feature AmortizationofBeneficialConversionFeature	0	USD
CY2018	cnp	Amortizationof Beneficial Conversion Feature AmortizationofBeneficialConversionFeature	0	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	147000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	241000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	167000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	271000000	USD
CY2019Q1	cnp	Lease Right Of Use Asset LeaseRightOfUseAsset	22000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cnp	Lessee Operating Lease Not Yet Commenced LesseeOperatingLeaseNotYetCommenced	847000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	9000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	7000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	14000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Short Term Lease Cost ShortTermLeaseCost	25000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Lease Cost LeaseCost	23000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Lease Cost LeaseCost	32000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income Lease Payments OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments	5000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income Lease Payments OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments	4000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Variable Lease Income OperatingLeaseVariableLeaseIncome	1000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Variable Lease Income OperatingLeaseVariableLeaseIncome	2000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome	6000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Lease Income OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	31000000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	31000000	USD
CY2020Q4	cnp	Lease Right Of Use Asset LeaseRightOfUseAsset	31000000	USD
CY2019Q4	cnp	Lease Right Of Use Asset LeaseRightOfUseAsset	31000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P6Y
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P6Y6M
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0314
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0357
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	8000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	6000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	4000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	3000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	10000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	37000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	5000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Next Twelve Months LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths	4000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Two Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedTwoYears	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Three Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThreeYears	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Four Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFourYears	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Five Years LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedFiveYears	2000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received Thereafter LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedThereafter	8000000	USD
CY2020Q4	us-gaap	Lessor Operating Lease Payments To Be Received LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceived	20000000	USD
CY2020	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	8000000	USD

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
0001130310-21-000009-index-headers.html	Edgar Link	pending
0001130310-21-000009-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0001130310-21-000009.txt	Edgar Link	pending
0001130310-21-000009-xbrl.zip	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit2312x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit3112x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit3122x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit3212x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit3222x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cehe_exhibit4iix12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cerc_exhibit2313x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
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cerc_exhibit3123x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cerc_exhibit3213x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cerc_exhibit3223x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cerc_exhibit4jjx12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp-20201231.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp-20201231.xsd	Edgar Link	pending
cnp-20201231_cal.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
cnp-20201231_def.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
cnp-20201231_htm.xml	Edgar Link	completed
cnp-20201231_lab.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
cnp-20201231_pre.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
cnpexhibit10q1212312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnpexhibit10q1312312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnpexhibit10t212312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit10hx12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit10rx12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit10sx12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit21x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit2311x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
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cnp_exhibit3111x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
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cnp_exhibit3211x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit3221x12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
cnp_exhibit4hhx12312020.htm	Edgar Link	pending
FilingSummary.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
Financial_Report.xlsx	Edgar Link	pending
MetaLinks.json	Edgar Link	pending
R1.htm	Edgar Link	pending
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report.css	Edgar Link	pending
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$CNP
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Stock $cnp

2020 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000113031021000009 Filed on February 25, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$CNP CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Stock $cnp

2020 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000113031021000009 Filed on February 25, 2021

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$CNP
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC Stock $cnp