Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) Plan	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Pension Benefits
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost		$ 1,154	$ 1,104
Interest cost		1,554	1,704
Expected return on plan assets		(2,295)	(2,289)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		35	28
Amortization of net loss		1,462	1,348
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting		1,910	1,895
Total contributions to the pension plans during the period	$ 9,000
Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost		7	6
Interest cost		148	163
Expected return on plan assets		(8)	(6)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(88)	(88)
Amortization of net loss		109	83
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting		$ 168	$ 158
Xcel Energy Inc. | Pension Benefits
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Total contributions to the pension plans during the period	$ 150,000
Number of Xcel Energy's pension plans to which contributions were made | Plan	4