Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Entity File Number	001-14206
Entity Registrant Name	EL PASO ELECTRIC CO /TX/
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Entity Central Index Key	0000031978
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-0607870
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 North Stanton Street
Entity Address, City or Town	El Paso,
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	79901
City Area Code	915
Local Phone Number	543-5711
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	EE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,791,016