Share-Based Compensation (Tables) (Performance Units [Member])

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Performance Unit Graded Vesting Schedule

Under MGE Energy’s Performance Unit Plan, eligible employees may receive performance units that entitle the holder to receive a cash payment equal to the value of a designated number of shares of MGE Energy's common stock, plus dividend equivalent payments thereon, at the end of the set performance period. In accordance with the plan’s provisions, these awards are subject to a prescribed vesting schedule and must be settled in cash. Accordingly, no shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the plan.

On the grant date, MGE Energy and MGE measure the cost of the employee services received in exchange for a performance unit award based on the current market value of MGE Energy common stock. The fair value of the awards is re-measured quarterly, including at December 31, 2014, as required by applicable accounting standards. Changes in fair value as well as the original grant are recognized as compensation cost. Since this amount is re-measured throughout the vesting period, the compensation cost is subject to variability. These units are subject to a five year graded vesting schedule.

	Grant Date		MGE Energy Units Granted
	February 20, 2015		18,948
	February 21, 2014		21,991
	February 15, 2013		22,884
	February 17, 2012		25,040
	January 21, 2011		23,483

Director Incentive Agreement [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Performance Unit Graded Vesting Schedule

In December 2013, a Director Incentive Plan was approved for the non-employee members of the Board of Directors. This plan is similar to MGE Energy’s Performance Unit Plan for eligible employees described above. Under the plan, a non-employee director can receive performance units that entitle the holder to receive a cash payment equal to the value of a designated number of shares of MGE Energy’s common stock, plus dividend payments, at the end of the set performance period. The units are subject to a three year graded vesting schedule.

	Grant Date		MGE Energy Units Granted
	January 16, 2015		3,794
	January 17, 2014		4,683

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which equity-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares (or other type of equity) granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from equity-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from equity-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate.

+ References+ Details