Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Ratio Of Depreciation To Average Depreciable Property) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Avista Utilities [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ratio of depreciation to average depreciable property	3.09%	2.97%	2.90%
Avista Utilities [Member] | Electric Thermal [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	40 years
Avista Utilities [Member] | Hydroelectric Production [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	79 years
Avista Utilities [Member] | Electric Transmission [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	57 years
Avista Utilities [Member] | Electric Distribution [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	36 years
Avista Utilities [Member] | Natural Gas Distribution [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	45 years
Alaska Electric Light & Power [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Ratio of depreciation to average depreciable property	2.42%	2.43%
Alaska Electric Light & Power [Member] | Electric Thermal [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	36 years
Alaska Electric Light & Power [Member] | Hydroelectric Production [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	45 years
Alaska Electric Light & Power [Member] | Electric Transmission [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	39 years
Alaska Electric Light & Power [Member] | Electric Distribution [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Average service lives for the utility plan in service	38 years