Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Unconsolidated Statements Of Common Shareholders' Deficit) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (5,846)	$ (4,730)	$ (9,058)
Net income applicable to common stock	68,783	57,362	76,734
Distributions to AES	(66,600)	(59,231)	(73,200)
Contributions from parent	444	556	991
Balance	(3,219)	(5,846)	(4,730)
Paid In Capital [Member] | Ipalco Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	11,367	10,811	9,820
Contributions from parent	444	556	991
Balance	11,811	11,367	10,811
Paid In Capital [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	11,367	10,811	9,820
Contributions from parent	444	556	991
Balance	11,811	11,367	10,811
Accumulated Deficit/Retained Earnings [Member] | Ipalco Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(17,213)	(15,344)	(18,875)
Net income applicable to common stock	68,783	57,362	76,731
Distributions to AES	(66,600)	(59,231)	(73,200)
Balance	(15,030)	(17,213)	(15,344)
Accumulated Deficit/Retained Earnings [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(17,213)	(15,344)	(18,878)
Net income applicable to common stock	68,783	57,362	76,734
Distributions to AES	(66,600)	(59,231)	(73,200)
Balance	(15,030)	(17,213)	(15,344)
Ipalco Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(5,846)	(4,533)	(9,055)
Net income applicable to common stock	68,783	57,362	76,731
Total Comprehensive Income	68,783	57,362	76,731
Distributions to AES	(66,600)	(59,231)	(73,200)
Contributions from parent	444	556	991
Balance	$ (3,219)	$ (5,846)	$ (4,533)