No definition available.

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

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFifthAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in next fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFourthAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in second fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnSecondAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnThirdAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unrecorded obligation to transfer funds in future for fixed or minimum amount or quantity of product and service at fixed or minimum price. Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced and take-or-pay and throughput contracts.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of fixed and determinable portion of unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid after fifth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Includes, but is not limited to, lease not yet commenced.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478964/842-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueAfterFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of operating expense for purchased power procured under arrangements extending beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, by regulated operation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(2)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 10.D)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480114/980-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpensePurchasedPowerUnderLongTermContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xel_PurchasedPowerContractsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	xel_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis=xel_CapacityPaymentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis=xel_EnergyPaymentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: