No definition available.

Name:	pnw_DebtProvisionsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum borrowings available for the commercial paper program under the terms of line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pnw_LineOfCreditFacilityCommercialPaperProgramMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of line of credit facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pnw_LineOfCreditFacilityNumberOfAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The common equity ratio (defined as the total shareholder equity divided by the sum of total shareholder equity and long-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt), which the entity is required to maintain pursuant to an order from a regulatory authority.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pnw_PublicUtilityOrderCommonStockholdersEquityRatio
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of total shareholder equity required in order for the entity to pay dividends pursuant to an order from a regulatory authority.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pnw_PublicUtilityOrderDividendRestrictionsShareholderEquity
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The sum of total shareholder equity and long-term debt less current maturities, including a portion of APS' current maturities of long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pnw_ShareholderEquityAndLongTermDebtAndCurrentMaturities
Namespace Prefix:	pnw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of short-term borrowings using unsecured obligations issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers to investors. The maturities of these money market securities generally do not exceed 270 days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 4

-Section E

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_LineOfCreditMaturingIn2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=pnw_ArizonaPublicServiceCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis=pnw_ArizonaCorporationCommissionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_ArizonaPollutionControlRevenueRefundingBond2009SeriesBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_RevolvingCreditFacilitiesMaturingin2018and2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturingApril2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturingMay2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=pnw_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_TermLoanFacilityMaturingJune262018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_UnsecuredSeniorNotes2.20PercentMatureon15January2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_UnsecuredSeniorNotes3.15PercentMatureon15May2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=pnw_UnsecuredSeniorNotes4.65PercentMatureon15May2015Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters - Narrative (Details)	May. 19, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Facility	Jun. 26, 2015 USD ($)	May. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 12, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Provisions
Total shareholder equity		$ 4,392,836,000				$ 4,367,493,000
Pinnacle West \| Letter of Credit [Member] \| Revolving credit facility that matures in May 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Outstanding letters of credit		0
Pinnacle West \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving credit facility that matures in May 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Current borrowing capacity on credit facility		200,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility upon satisfaction of certain conditions and consent of lenders		300,000,000
Outstanding borrowings		0
Pinnacle West \| Commercial paper \| Revolving credit facility that matures in May 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Maximum commercial paper support available under credit facility		200,000,000
Commercial paper		0
APS
Debt Provisions
Total shareholder equity		4,494,357,000				$ 4,478,243,000
APS \| ACC
Debt Provisions
Total shareholder equity		4,500,000,000
Total capitalization		8,200,000,000
Dividend restrictions, shareholder equity required		$ 3,300,000,000
APS \| ACC \| Minimum
Debt Provisions
Required common equity ratio ordered by ACC (as a percent)		40.00%
APS \| Arizona pollution control revenue refunding bond, 2009 series B, due 2029
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Repurchased debt				$ 32,000,000
APS \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 76,000,000
APS \| Letter of Credit [Member] \| Revolving credit facilities maturing in 2018 and 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Outstanding letters of credit		0
APS \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving credit facilities maturing in 2018 and 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Current borrowing capacity on credit facility		1,000,000,000
Outstanding borrowings		$ 0
Number of line of credit facilities \| Facility		2
APS \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving credit facility maturing April 2018
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Current borrowing capacity on credit facility		$ 500,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility upon satisfaction of certain conditions and consent of lenders		700,000,000
APS \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving credit facility maturing May 2019
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Current borrowing capacity on credit facility		500,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity on credit facility upon satisfaction of certain conditions and consent of lenders		700,000,000
APS \| Commercial paper
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Maximum commercial paper support available under credit facility		250,000,000
Commercial paper		$ 158,000,000
APS \| Secured debt \| Term loan facility maturing June 26, 2018
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Debt issued			$ 50,000,000
APS \| Senior Notes \| 2.20% unsecured senior notes that mature on January 15, 2020
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Debt issued					$ 250,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)					2.20%
APS \| Senior Notes \| 3.15% unsecured senior notes that mature on May 15, 2025
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Debt issued	$ 300,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.15%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 300,000,000
APS \| Senior Notes \| 4.65% unsecured senior notes that mature on May 15, 2015
Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters
Interest rate (as a percent)	4.65%