Changes in Equity (APSC) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,861,429	$ 3,728,771	$ 3,930,586	$ 3,775,226
Net income	130,111	93,839	129,630	84,165
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,459	6,646	1,845	17,092
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	147,570	100,485	131,475	101,257
Dividends on common stock	(114,955)	(114,509)	(172,313)	(171,618)
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests	(2,976)	(2,609)	(2,976)	(2,609)
Other	631	(33)	3,981	(181)
Balance at end of period	3,899,337	3,715,610	3,899,337	3,715,610
Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,744,917	3,631,411	3,821,850	3,683,327
Net income	122,345	86,685	114,088	71,550
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,459	6,646	1,845	17,092
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	139,804	93,331	115,933	88,642
Dividends on common stock	(114,955)	(114,509)	(172,313)	(171,618)
Other	631	(33)	3,981	(181)
Balance at end of period	3,778,035	3,613,705	3,778,035	3,613,705
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	116,512	97,360	108,736	91,899
Net income	7,766	7,154	15,542	12,615
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	7,766	7,154	15,542	12,615
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests	(2,976)	(2,609)	(2,976)	(2,609)
Balance at end of period	121,302	101,905	121,302	101,905
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,981,914	3,862,685	4,051,406	3,916,037
Net income	132,694	94,889	136,356	88,279
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,117	6,730	1,362	17,088
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	149,811	101,619	137,718	105,367
Dividends on common stock	(105,000)	(114,500)	(162,400)	(171,600)
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests	(2,630)	(2,610)	(2,630)	(2,610)
Other	(2)	1	(1)	1
Balance at end of period	4,024,093	3,847,195	4,024,093	3,847,195
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,865,748	3,766,131	3,943,007	3,824,953
Net income	124,928	87,705	120,823	75,625
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,117	6,730	1,362	17,088
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	142,045	94,435	122,185	92,713
Dividends on common stock	(105,000)	(114,500)	(162,400)	(171,600)
Other	(2)	1	(1)	1
Balance at end of period	3,902,791	3,746,067	3,902,791	3,746,067
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	116,166	96,554	108,399	91,084
Net income	7,766	7,184	15,533	12,654
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	7,766	7,184	15,533	12,654
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests	(2,630)	(2,610)	(2,630)	(2,610)
Balance at end of period	121,302	101,128	121,302	101,128
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION | Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,744,917	3,631,411	3,821,850	3,683,327
Net income	122,345	86,685	114,088	71,550
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,459	6,646	1,845	17,092
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	139,804	93,331	115,933	88,642
Dividends on common stock	(114,955)	(114,509)	(172,313)	(171,618)
Other	631	(33)	3,981	(181)
Balance at end of period	3,778,035	3,613,705	3,778,035	3,613,705
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION | NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	116,512	97,360	108,736	91,899
Net income	7,766	7,154	15,542	12,615
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	7,766	7,154	15,542	12,615
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests	(2,976)	(2,609)	(2,976)	(2,609)
Balance at end of period	$ 121,302	$ 101,905	$ 121,302	$ 101,905