Commitments and Contingencies (Details-2) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2016	$ 21,656
Purchase obligation, 2017	38,136
Purchase obligation, 2018	24,833
Purchase obligation, 2019	23,048
Purchase obligation, 2020	16,274
Purchase obligation, Thereafter	32,595
Natural Gas, Transportation and Storage [Member]
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2016	10,621	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2017	25,044	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2018	24,833	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2019	23,048	[1]
Purchase obligation, 2020	16,274	[1]
Purchase obligation, Thereafter	32,595	[1]
Natual Gas, Supply [Member]
Operating expense purchase contracts [Abstract]
Purchase obligation, 2016	11,035	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2017	13,092	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2018	0	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2019	0	[2]
Purchase obligation, 2020	0	[2]
Purchase obligation, Thereafter	$ 0	[2]

[1] MGE's natural gas transportation and storage contracts require fixed monthly payments for firm supply pipeline transportation and storage capacity. The pricing components of the fixed monthly payments for the transportation and storage contracts are established by FERC but may be subject to change . Management expects to recover these costs in future customer rates .

[2] These commitments include market-based pricing. Management expects to recover these costs in future customer rates .