XML 130 R69.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt due within one year $ (4,182,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent $ (4,102,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Unamortized discount (252,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount (277,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Total Long-Term Debt 395,256,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 399,414,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Long-Term Debt Maturities [Abstract]    
Long term debt maturities in 2015 4,182,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths  
Long term debt maturities in 2016 4,268,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo  
Long term debt maturities in 2017 34,358,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree  
Long term debt maturities in 2018 24,452,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour  
Long term debt maturities in 2019 4,553,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive  
Long term debt maturities in future years 327,877,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive  
Total 399,690,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt  
First Mortgage Bonds [Member] | 7.70%, 2028 Series    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1] 1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1]
Interest rate 7.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1] 7.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1]
Debt covenant, allowable amount available for payment of dividends 334,800,000mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsAllowableAmountAvailableForDividendPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
 
Tax Exempt Debt [Member] | 3.45%, 2027 Series, Industrial Development Revenue Bonds    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 19,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
19,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
Interest rate 3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
Medium-Term Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 5.25%, due 2017    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 6.12%, due 2028    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 6.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 6.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 7.12%, due 2032    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 7.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 7.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 6.247%, due 2037    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 6.247%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 6.247%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 279,190,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3] 283,293,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 5.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 5.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.68%, due 2033    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 28,954,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 29,797,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Interest rate 5.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 5.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.19%, due 2033    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 19,264,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 19,857,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Interest rate 5.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 5.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 5.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 5.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.04%, due 2040    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 41,805,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 43,472,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Interest rate 5.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 5.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.74%, due 2041    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 26,167,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 27,167,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Interest rate 4.74%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 4.74%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 28,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 28,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.42%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.42%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt due within one year (4,182,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
(4,102,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Unamortized discount (252,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
(277,000)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Total Long-Term Debt 395,256,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
399,414,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Long-Term Debt Maturities [Abstract]    
Long term debt maturities in 2015 4,182,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Long term debt maturities in 2016 4,268,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Long term debt maturities in 2017 34,358,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Long term debt maturities in 2018 24,452,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Long term debt maturities in 2019 4,553,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Long term debt maturities in future years 327,877,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
Total 399,690,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
[7]  
MGE [Member] | First Mortgage Bonds [Member] | 7.70%, 2028 Series    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1] 1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1]
Interest rate 7.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1] 7.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
[1]
Debt covenant, allowable amount available for payment of dividends 334,800,000mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsAllowableAmountAvailableForDividendPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointSevenZeroPercentFirstMortgageBondsDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_FirstMortgageBondsMember
 
MGE [Member] | Tax Exempt Debt [Member] | 3.45%, 2027 Series, Industrial Development Revenue Bonds    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 19,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
19,300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
Interest rate 3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
3.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointFourFivePercentIndustrialDevelopmentRevenueBondsDue2027Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NontaxableMunicipalBondsMember
MGE [Member] | Medium-Term Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
MGE [Member] | Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 5.25%, due 2017    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoFivePercentMediumTermNotesDue2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
MGE [Member] | Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 6.12%, due 2028    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 6.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 6.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2028Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
MGE [Member] | Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 7.12%, due 2032    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 7.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 7.12%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SevenPointOneTwoPercentMediumTermNotesDue2032Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
MGE [Member] | Medium-Term Notes [Member] | 6.247%, due 2037    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 25,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
Interest rate 6.247%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2] 6.247%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_SixPointTwoFourSevenPercentMediumTermNotesDue2037Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
[2]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 279,190,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3] 283,293,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 5.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 5.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.59%, due 2018 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointFiveNinePercentNotesDue2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.38%, due 2020 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointThreeEightPercentNotesDue2020Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 30,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.09%, due 2023 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointZeroNinePercentNotesDue2023Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 3.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 3.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 3.29%, due 2026 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_ThreePointTwoNinePercentNoteDue2026Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.68%, due 2033    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 28,954,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 29,797,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Interest rate 5.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 5.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.19%, due 2033    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 19,264,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 19,857,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
Interest rate 5.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5] 5.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[5]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 15,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 5.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 5.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.26%, due 2040 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointTwoSixPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.04%, due 2040    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 41,805,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 43,472,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Interest rate 5.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 5.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.74%, due 2041    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 26,167,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 27,167,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
Interest rate 4.74%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6] 4.74%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[6]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 28,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 28,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.38%, due 2042 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointThreeEightPercentSeniorNotesDue2042Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.42%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.42%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.42%, due 2043 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourTwoPercentNotesDue2043Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 20,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
Interest rate 4.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4] 4.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
[3],[4]
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt covenant, ownership interest by outside party resulting in repurchase of notes at par value 30.00%mgee_DebtInstrumentCovenantTermsOwnershipInterestByOutsidePartyResultingInRepurchaseOfNotesAtParValue
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Priority debt to assets ratio 0.2mgee_PriorityDebtToAssetsRatioMax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.47%, due 2048 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointFourSevenPercentNotesDue2048Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE Power Elm Road [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross 67,972,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerElmRoadMember
70,639,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerElmRoadMember
MGE Power Elm Road [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerElmRoadMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power Elm Road [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.04%, due 2040 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointZeroFourPercentNotesDue2040Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerElmRoadMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power Elm Road [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 4.74%, due 2041 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FourPointSevenFourPercentNotesDue2041Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerElmRoadMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, gross $ 48,218,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
$ 49,653,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.68%, due 2033 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.68%, due 2033 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointSixEightPercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.19%, due 2033 | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt service coverage ratio 1.25mgee_DebtServiceCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
MGE Power West Campus [Member] | Other Long-Term Debt [Member] | 5.19%, due 2033 | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt to total capitalization ratio 0.65us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= mgee_FivePointOneNinePercentNotesDue2033Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= mgee_MgePowerWestCampusMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= mgee_OtherLongTermDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
[1]

MGE's utility plant is subject to the lien of its Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust, under which its first mortgage bonds are issued. The Mortgage Indenture provides that dividends or any other distribution or purchase of shares may not be made if the aggregate amount thereof since December 31, 1945 would exceed the earned surplus (retained earnings) accumulated subsequent to December 31, 1945. As of December 31,2014, approximately $334.8 million was available for the payment of dividends under this covenant.

[2]

The indenture under which MGE's Medium-Term notes are issued provides that those notes will be entitled to be equally and ratably secured in the event that MGE issues any additional first mortgage bonds.

[3]

Unsecured notes issued pursuant to various Note Purchase Agreements with one or more purchasers. The notes are not issued under, or governed by, MGE’s Indenture dated as of September 1, 1998, which governs MGE’s Medium-Term Notes.

[4]

Issued by MGE. Under that Note Purchase Agreement: (i) note holders have the right to require MGE to repurchase their notes at par in the event of an acquisition of beneficial ownership of 30% or more of the outstanding voting stock of MGE Energy, (ii) MGE must maintain a ratio of its consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization not to exceed a maximum of 65%, and (iii) MGE cannot issue "Priority Debt" in an amount exceeding 20% of its consolidated assets. Priority Debt is defined as any indebtedness of MGE secured by liens other than specified liens permitted by the Note Purchase Agreement and certain unsecured indebtedness of certain subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2014, MGE is in compliance with the covenant requirements.

[5]

Issued by MGE Power West Campus. The Note Purchase Agreements require it to maintain a projected debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00, and debt to total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.65 to 1.00. The notes are secured by a collateral assignment of lease payments that MGE is making to MGE Power West Campus for use of its ownership interest in the West Campus Cogeneration Facility pursuant to a long-term lease.As of December 31, 2014, MGE Power West Campus is in compliance with the covenant requirements.

[6]

Issued by MGE Power Elm Road. The Note Purchase Agreement requires MGE Power Elm Road to maintain a projected and actual debt service coverage ratio at the end of any calendar quarter of not less than 1.25 to 1.00 for the trailing 12-month period. The notes are secured by a collateral assignment of lease payments that MGE is making to MGE Power Elm Road for use of its ownership interest in the Elm Road Units pursuant to long-term leases.As of December 31, 2014, MGE Power Elm Road is in compliance with the covenant requirements.

[7]

Includes $48.2 million for MGE Power West Campusand $68.0 million for MGE Power Elm Road, all of which are consolidated with MGE's debt (see Footnote 2 for further information).