Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Great Plains Energy Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0001143068
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		215,656,853
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017