Commitments and Contingencies (Details-3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2014	$ 85,591
Purchase obligation, 2015	65,926
Purchase obligation, 2016	49,757
Purchase obligation, 2017	50,257
Purchase obligation, 2018	51,279
Natual Gas, Supply [Member]
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2014	17,911	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2015	16,840	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2016	0	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2017	0	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2018	0	[1]
Purchase Power [Member]
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2014	50,569	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2015	49,086	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2016	49,757	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2017	50,257	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2018	51,279	[2]
Other [Member]
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2014	17,111
Purchase obligation, 2015	0
Purchase obligation, 2016	0
Purchase obligation, 2017	0
Purchase obligation, 2018	$ 0

[1] These commitments include market-based pricing. Management expects to recover these costs in future customer rates.

[2] MGE has several purchase power agreements to help meet future electric supply requirements. Management expects to recover these costs in future customer rates.