Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Jan. 31, 2020 USD ($) Plan	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Pension Plan [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost			$ 1.2	$ 1.1	$ 3.5	$ 3.3
Interest cost (a)	[1]		1.2	1.4	3.6	4.3
Expected return on plan assets (a)	[1]		(2.1)	(2.0)	(6.3)	(6.2)
Amortization of prior service credit (a)	[1]		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Amortization of net loss (a)	[1]		1.2	1.1	3.6	3.3
Net periodic benefit cost			1.5	1.6	4.4	4.7
Effects of regulation			1.8	0.0	5.5	0.2
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting			3.3	1.6	9.9	4.9
Contributions to pension plans		$ 6.7
Pension Plan [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Contributions to pension plans		$ 150.0
Number of Xcel Energy's pension plans to which contributions were made | Plan		4
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost			0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Interest cost (a)	[1]		0.1	0.1	0.3	0.4
Expected return on plan assets (a)	[1]		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Amortization of prior service credit (a)	[1]		(0.1)	(0.1)	(0.2)	(0.2)
Amortization of net loss (a)	[1]		0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2
Net periodic benefit cost			0.1	0.1	0.3	0.4
Effects of regulation			0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Net benefit cost recognized for financial reporting			$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.3	$ 0.4

[1] The components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item “Other expense, net” in the consolidated statements of income or capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset.