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Share-Based Payments (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 09, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized   8,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant   3,112,020us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant 3,440,590us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant    
AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense   $ 24,600,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 27,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 25,800,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense  
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense   10,300,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 10,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 10,200,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense  
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   15,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized      
Description Of Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition   This cost is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average period of 1.65 years for NU, 1.68 years for CL&P, 1.69 years for NSTAR Electric, 1.71 years for PSNH and 1.68 years for WMECO.      
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Awards Other Than Options Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number   1,024,729us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber 1,162,216us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 38.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue $ 36.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period   437,887us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 37.36us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue      
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Vested Outstanding Number   356,018nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestedOutstandingNumber      
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Expected To Vest   973,493nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpectedToVest      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, NSTAR Deferred And Performance Awards Converted Upon Merger 421,775nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarDeferredAndPerformanceAwardsConvertedUponMerger        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options NSTAR Deferred And Performance Awards Converted Upon Merger, Value 15.5nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarDeferredAndPerformanceAwardsConvertedUponMergerValue        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, NSTAR RSU Retention Awards Converted To NU RSU's Upon Merger 195,619nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarRsuRetentionAwardsConvertedToNuRsusUponMerger        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, NSTAR RSU Retention Awards Converted To NU RSU's Upon Merger, Value 7.2nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarRsuRetentionAwardsConvertedToNuRsusUponMergerValue        
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Stock Option Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   351,616us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber 1,221,375us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber 1,545,757us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber 47,374us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period   (869,759)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised (324,382)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised (1,166,511)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price   $ 26.69us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 25.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 24.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 18.78us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice   $ 25.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 20.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice $ 22.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value   16,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue 6,700,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue 18,700,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value   9,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options   22,300,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options   6,600,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Options, Converted NSTAR Options Upon Merger 2,664,894nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsConvertedNstarOptionsUponMerger        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Options, Converted NSTAR Options Upon Merger, Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 23.99nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsConvertedNstarOptionsUponMergerWeightedAverageExercisePrice        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Options, Converted NSTAR Options Upon Merger, Total Value 30.5nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsConvertedNstarOptionsUponMergerTotalValue        
Employee Service Share Based Compensation E S P P Disclosures [Abstract]          
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans   40,779us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans 39,526us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans    
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares Remaining For Future Issuance   776,975nu_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanSharesRemainingForFutureIssuance 817,754nu_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanSharesRemainingForFutureIssuance    
ESPP Discounted Purchase Price First Six Months   41.61nu_EsppDiscountedPurchasePriceFirstSixMonths 38.69nu_EsppDiscountedPurchasePriceFirstSixMonths    
ESPP Discounted Purchase Price Second Six Months   41.71nu_EsppDiscountedPurchasePriceSecondSixMonths 42.19nu_EsppDiscountedPurchasePriceSecondSixMonths    
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent [Abstract]          
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Classified, Noncurrent   57,500,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent 51,300,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent 54,600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent  
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Expense Pertaining to Deferred Benefits   4,500,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits 4,400,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits 4,700,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits  
The Connecticut Light And Power Company [Member]          
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]          
AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense   8,100,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
6,800,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
4,800,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense   3,400,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
2,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
1,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   6,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
     
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent [Abstract]          
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Classified, Noncurrent   400,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
400,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
400,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
 
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Expense Pertaining to Deferred Benefits   2,100,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
2,500,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
2,600,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_TheConnecticutLightAndPowerCompanyMember
 
NSTAR Electric Company [Member]          
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]          
AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense   7,400,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
7,500,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
7,400,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense   3,100,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
3,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
2,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   4,300,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
     
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent [Abstract]          
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Expense Pertaining to Deferred Benefits   300,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_NstarElectricCompanyMember
     
Public Service Company Of New Hampshire [Member]          
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]          
AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense   3,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
2,300,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
1,800,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense   1,300,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   2,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
     
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent [Abstract]          
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Classified, Noncurrent   2,600,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
2,300,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
2,500,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
 
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Expense Pertaining to Deferred Benefits   900,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
1,000,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
1,000,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_PublicServiceCompanyOfNewHampshireMember
 
Western Massachusetts Electric Company [Member]          
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]          
AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense   1,300,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
1,300,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
1,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense   500,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
500,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
400,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
 
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized   1,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
     
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent [Abstract]          
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Classified, Noncurrent   200,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
100,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
200,000us-gaap_DeferredCompensationCashbasedArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
 
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Expense Pertaining to Deferred Benefits   $ 400,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
$ 500,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
$ 500,000nu_DeferredCompensationCashBasedArrangementsExpensePertainingToDeferredBenefits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= nu_WesternMassachusettsElectricCompanyMember
 
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]          
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Awards Other Than Options Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period   338,576us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
373,939us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
614,930us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period   (567,209)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(891,129)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(363,779)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period   (27,060)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(29,689)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
(96,504)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Ending Balance   1,380,747nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
1,636,440nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2,183,319nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
959,920nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 42.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 39.56us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 33.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Issued In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 33.48nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsIssuedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 32.15nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsIssuedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 29.05nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsIssuedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue   $ 39.62us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 33.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 34.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Ending Balance   $ 35.67nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 33.61nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 31.99nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
$ 26.36nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options NSTAR Awards Converted To NU RSU's Upon Merger 617,394nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarAwardsConvertedToNuRsusUponMerger
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, NSTAR Awards Converted To NU RSU's Upon Merger, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 36.79nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNstarAwardsConvertedToNuRsusUponMergerWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
       
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Performance Share Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Performance Shares Converted To RSU's Upon Merger 451,358nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceSharesConvertedToRsusUponMerger
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Performance Shares Converted To RSU's Upon Merger, Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value $ 34.32nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceSharesConvertedToRsusUponMergerWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
       
Performance Shares [Member]          
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Awards Other Than Options Disclosures [Abstract]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period   193,396us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
191,961us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
225,935us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period   (2,009)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period   (6,171)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
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(1,526)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
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190,428nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsEndingBalance
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Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Issued In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value   $ 41.46nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsIssuedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
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ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue   $ 42.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
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Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Ending Balance   $ 42.20nu_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
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