Schedule I, Condensed Financial Statements of Xcel Energy Inc, Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 84,476	$ 84,940	$ 79,608	$ 107,144
Total current assets	2,842,081	2,770,226
Investment in subsidiaries	132,800	130,000
Other assets	248,532	32,581
Total other assets	5,471,446	4,845,400
Total assets	41,155,277	38,821,477
Liabilities and Equity
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	250,000	450,000
Dividends payable	172,456	162,410
Short-term debt	392,000	846,000
Other current liabilities	503,953	490,197
Total current liabilities	3,247,043	4,058,297
Other liabilities	223,965	261,756
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	12,692,667	11,763,380
Commitments and contingencies
Capitalization
Total common stockholders’ equity	11,020,849	10,600,920
Total liabilities and equity	41,155,277	38,821,477
Xcel Energy Inc.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	351	517	$ 706	$ 446
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries	363,617	315,866
Other current assets	10,007	35,701
Total current assets	373,975	352,084
Investment in subsidiaries	13,903,657	13,236,758
Other assets	163,795	163,237
Total other assets	14,067,452	13,399,995
Total assets	14,441,427	13,752,079
Liabilities and Equity
Dividends payable	172,456	162,410
Short-term debt	68,000	584,000
Other current liabilities	17,537	80,526
Total current liabilities	507,993	1,276,936
Other liabilities	37,734	35,694
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	37,734	35,694
Commitments and contingencies
Capitalization
Long-term debt, noncurrent	2,874,851	1,838,529
Total common stockholders’ equity	11,020,849	10,600,920
Total capitalization	13,895,700	12,439,449
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,441,427	$ 13,752,079