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Retirement Plans and Other Benefits - Weighted-Average Assumptions for Pensions and Other Benefits (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations          
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent) 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease   4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease  
Initial pre-65 healthcare cost trend rate (as a percent)     7.00%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitObligation 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitObligation  
Initial post-65 healthcare cost trend rate (as a percent)     5.00%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitObligation 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitObligation  
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (as a percent)     5.00%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateusedinCalculatingBenefitObligations 5.00%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRateusedinCalculatingBenefitObligations  
Number of years to ultimate trend rate (pre-65 participants)     4 years 4 years  
Number of years to ultimate trend rate (post-65 participants)     0 years 4 years  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs          
Initial pre-65 health care cost trend rate (as a percent) 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts   7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts
Initial post-65 health care cost trend rate (as a percent) 5.00%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts   7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts 7.50%pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedforNextFiscalYearUsedinCalculatingBenefitCosts
Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate (as a percent) 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate   5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanUltimateHealthCareCostTrendRate
Number of years to ultimate trend rate (pre-65 participants) 4 years 4 years   4 years 4 years
Number of years to ultimate trend rate (post-65 participants) 0 years 4 years   4 years 4 years
Pension Benefits          
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations          
Discount rate (as a percent) 4.02%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.02%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.88%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs          
Discount rate (as a percent) 4.88%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.88%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.01%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.42%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Rate of compensation increase (as a percent) 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percent) 6.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
6.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
7.75%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Other Benefits          
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations          
Discount rate (as a percent) 4.14%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.14%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
5.10%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs          
Discount rate (as a percent) 4.41%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
5.10%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  4.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
4.59%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Expected long-term return on plan assets (as a percent) 4.25%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
6.80%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
  7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
7.75%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Effects of one percentage point change in the assumed initial and ultimate health care cost trend rates          
Effect of 1% increase on other postretirement benefits expense, after consideration of amounts capitalized or billed to electric plant participants     10pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnOtherPostretirementBenefitsExpense
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Effect of 1% decrease on other postretirement benefits expense, after consideration of amounts capitalized or billed to electric plant participants     (4)pnw_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnOtherPostretirementBenefitsExpense
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Effect of 1% increase on service and interest cost components of net periodic other postretirement benefit costs     12us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Effect of 1% decrease on service and interest cost components of net periodic other postretirement benefit costs     (9)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnServiceAndInterestCostComponents1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Effect of 1% increase on the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation     110us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointIncreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Effect of 1% decrease on the accumulated other postretirement benefit obligation     (88)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember