Common Stock and Treasury Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in equity
Balance	$ 4,340,460	$ 4,102,289	$ 3,930,586
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	110,280,703	109,837,957
Pinnacle West
Changes in equity
Balance	4,340,460	4,102,289
Serial preferred stock authorized	10,000,000
Par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Preferred stock outstanding	0
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Changes in equity
Balance	4,454,874	4,222,483	4,051,406
Serial preferred stock authorized	15,535,000
Preferred stock outstanding	0
Par value of type 1 preferred stock authorized (in dollars per share)	$ 25
Par value of type 2 preferred stock authorized (in dollars per share)	$ 50
Par value of type 3 preferred stock authorized (in dollars per share)	$ 100
Common Stock
Changes in equity
Balance	2,466,923	2,444,247	2,421,372
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	109,837,957	109,356,974	108,820,067
Common stock issuance	24,635	22,676	22,875
Common stock issuance (in shares)	442,746	480,983	536,907
Balance	2,491,558	2,466,923	2,444,247
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	110,280,703	109,837,957	109,356,974
Common Stock | ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Changes in equity
Balance	178,162	178,162	178,162
Treasury Stock
Changes in equity
Balance	(4,211)	(4,717)	(2,239)
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	(95,192)	(111,161)	(50,410)
Purchase of treasury stock	(9,727)	(4,607)	(3,720)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	(174,290)	(89,629)	(88,440)
Reissuance of treasury stock used for stock compensation	9,630	5,113	1,242
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock compensation (in shares)	170,538	105,598	27,689
Balance	$ (4,308)	$ (4,211)	$ (4,717)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	(98,944)	(95,192)	(111,161)