SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Operating revenues	$ 739,199	$ 1,166,922	$ 915,394	$ 677,167	$ 734,430	$ 1,199,146	$ 890,648	$ 671,219	$ 3,498,682	$ 3,495,443	$ 3,491,632
Operating expenses									2,642,698	2,640,841	2,680,390
OPERATING INCOME	122,816	451,258	231,748	50,162	109,834	445,111	231,973	67,684	855,984	854,602	811,242
Other
Total									27,704	18,013	18,652
Interest expense									205,720	194,964	200,950
Income tax benefit	27,309	141,446	65,742	1,914	22,847	139,555	67,371	7,947	236,411	237,720	220,705
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 53,246	$ 263,027	$ 121,308	$ 4,453	$ 41,117	$ 257,116	$ 122,902	$ 16,122	442,034	437,257	397,595
Other comprehensive income									926	23,393	9,912
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS									442,960	460,650	407,507
Pinnacle West
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Operating revenues									370	550	642
Operating expenses									26,424	12,733	23,507
OPERATING INCOME									(26,054)	(12,183)	(22,865)
Other
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									462,027	446,508	411,528
Other expense									(1,771)	(3,302)	(3,276)
Total									460,256	443,206	408,252
Interest expense									3,151	2,672	3,663
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES									431,051	428,351	381,724
Income tax benefit									(10,983)	(8,906)	(15,871)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS									442,034	437,257	397,595
Other comprehensive income									926	23,393	9,912
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS									$ 442,960	$ 460,650	$ 407,507