Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details-5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Total gains (losses) included in earnings attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities	[1]	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Included in earnings	[1]	2,476	(1,524)	2,686	(4,687)
Purchased Power Expense [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Included in earnings		2,476	(1,496)	3,113	(4,343)
Cost Of Gas Sold Expense [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Included in earnings		$ 0	$ (28)	$ (427)	$ (344)

[1] MGE's exchange-traded derivative contracts, over-the-counter party transactions, purchased power agreement, and FTRs are subject to regulatory deferral. These derivatives are therefore marked to fair value and are offset in the financial statements with a corresponding regulatory asset or liability.