Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAmortizationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are not expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle if longer.

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Remaining balance of regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery is provided. In some cases, a regulator may permit an enterprise to include a cost that would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise as an allowable cost over a period of time by amortizing that cost for rate-making purposes, but the regulator does not include the unrecovered amount in the rate base.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 340
-Section 55
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6591318&loc=d3e44360-110383

Name:	us-gaap_RemainingAmountsOfRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The maximum amortization period for recovery of the individual regulatory asset in a schedule of regulatory assets.

No definition available.

Name:	xel_RegulatoryAssetAmortizationPeriodMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	xel_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The minimum amortization period for recovery of the individual regulatory asset in a schedule of regulatory assets.

No definition available.

Name:	xel_RegulatoryAssetAmortizationPeriodMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	xel_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Regulatory asset, remaining amortization period

No definition available.