Changes in Equity (APSC) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,899,337	$ 3,715,610	$ 3,930,586	$ 3,775,226
Net income	252,863	262,785	382,493	346,950
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30,843	21,131	32,688	38,224
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	283,706	283,916	415,181	385,174
Dividends on common stock			(172,344)	(171,630)
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests		(421)	(2,976)	(3,030)
Other	258	(436)	4,270	(606)
Balance at end of period	4,185,584	4,002,995	4,185,584	4,002,995
Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,778,035	3,613,705	3,821,850	3,683,327
Net income	244,823	255,359	358,911	326,909
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30,843	21,131	32,688	38,224
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	275,666	276,490	391,599	365,133
Dividends on common stock			(172,344)	(171,630)
Other	258	(436)	4,270	(606)
Balance at end of period	4,056,242	3,894,085	4,056,242	3,894,085
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	121,302	101,905	108,736	91,899
Net income	8,040	7,426	23,582	20,041
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	8,040	7,426	23,582	20,041
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests		(421)	(2,976)	(3,030)
Balance at end of period	129,342	108,910	129,342	108,910
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	4,024,093	3,847,195	4,051,406	3,916,037
Net income	255,871	253,768	392,227	342,051
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30,728	21,038	32,090	38,126
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	286,599	274,806	424,317	380,177
Dividends on common stock			(162,400)	(171,600)
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests			(2,630)	(2,610)
Other	1	4		1
Balance at end of period	4,310,693	4,122,005	4,310,693	4,122,005
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,902,791	3,746,067	3,943,007	3,824,953
Net income	247,831	246,333	368,654	321,962
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30,728	21,038	32,090	38,126
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	278,559	267,371	400,744	360,088
Dividends on common stock			(162,400)	(171,600)
Other	1	3
Balance at end of period	4,181,351	4,013,441	4,181,351	4,013,441
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	121,302	101,128	108,399	91,084
Net income	8,040	7,435	23,573	20,089
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	8,040	7,435	23,573	20,089
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests			(2,630)	(2,610)
Other		1		1
Balance at end of period	$ 129,342	$ 108,564	$ 129,342	$ 108,564