Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities, Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013 MWh		Dec. 31, 2012 MWh
Commodity Derivatives [Abstract]
Amount of accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses) related to commodity derivatives expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months	$ 0.1
Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations [Abstract]
Number of most significant counterparties for wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity activities with credit exposure	10
Number of counterparties comprising greater than 10% of Xcel Energy's wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure	0
Percentage Of Registrants Counterparty Credit Exposure (in hundredths)	10.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Investment Grade Ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's, or Fitch Ratings [Member]
Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations [Abstract]
Number of most significant counterparties for wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity activities with credit exposure	5
Wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties	81.6
Percentage of wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties (in hundredths)	28.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | No Investment Grade Ratings from External Credit Rating Agencies [Member]
Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations [Abstract]
Number of most significant counterparties for wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity activities with credit exposure	4
Wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties	55.6
Percentage of wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties (in hundredths)	19.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Credit Quality Less Than Investment Grade [Member]
Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations [Abstract]
Number of most significant counterparties for wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity activities with credit exposure	1
Wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties	7.9
Percentage of wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity credit exposure for the most significant counterparties (in hundredths)	3.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Derivatives [Abstract]
Amount of accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses) related to interest rate derivatives expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months	$ (2.3)
Electric Commodity [Member]
Gross Notional Amounts of Commodity Forwards, Options and FTRs [Abstract]
Notional amount	79,276,000	[1],[2]	55,976,000	[1],[2]
Natural Gas Commodity [Member]
Gross Notional Amounts of Commodity Forwards, Options and FTRs [Abstract]
Notional amount	4,843,000	[1],[2]	725,000	[1],[2]
Vehicle Fuel Commodity [Member]
Gross Notional Amounts of Commodity Forwards, Options and FTRs [Abstract]
Notional amount	582,000	[1],[2]	682,000	[1],[2]

[1] Notional amounts for options are included on a gross basis, but are weighted for the probability of exercise.

[2] Amounts are not reflective of net positions in the underlying commodities.