Schedule I - Condensed Parent Company Finanical Statements (Details-Comprehensive Income Statement Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, taxes	$ 54	$ 189	$ (12)
MGE Energy [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, taxes	$ 54	$ 189	$ (12)

Amount of tax expense (benefit) before reclassification adjustments of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (e,f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration