Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Unconsolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										$ (15,422)
Interest on long-term debt									(103,435)	(109,233)	(114,707)
Amortization of redemption premiums and expense on debt									(4,875)	(4,700)	(4,174)
NET INCOME	16,135	27,541	12,291	16,029	8,491	26,120	12,534	13,430	71,996	60,575	79,947
Ipalco Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									101,023	101,240	116,062
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										(15,422)
Income tax benefit - net									20,181	28,641	24,872
Interest on long-term debt									(49,000)	(54,002)	(61,344)
Amortization of redemption premiums and expense on debt									(2,417)	(2,205)	(2,037)
Other -net									(1,004)	(890)	(822)
NET INCOME									$ 68,783	$ 57,362	$ 76,731