Changes in Equity (APSC) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,930,586	$ 3,775,226
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(481)	(9,674)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,614)	10,446
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(16,095)	772
Dividends on common stock	(57,358)	(57,109)
Other	3,350	10,723
Balance at end of period	3,861,429	3,728,771
Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,821,850	3,683,327
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(8,257)	(15,135)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,614)	10,446
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(23,871)	(4,689)
Dividends on common stock	(57,358)	(57,109)
Other	3,350	10,723
Balance at end of period	3,744,917	3,631,411
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	108,736	91,899
NET INCOME (LOSS)	7,776	5,461
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	7,776	5,461
Balance at end of period	116,512	97,360
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	4,051,406	3,916,037
NET INCOME (LOSS)	3,662	(6,611)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,755)	10,358
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(12,093)	3,747
Dividends on common stock	(57,400)	(57,100)
Other	1	1
Balance at end of period	3,981,914	3,862,685
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,943,007	3,824,953
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(4,105)	(12,081)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,755)	10,358
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(19,860)	(1,723)
Dividends on common stock	(57,400)	(57,100)
Other	1	1
Balance at end of period	3,865,748	3,766,131
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	108,399	91,084
NET INCOME (LOSS)	7,767	5,470
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	7,767	5,470
Balance at end of period	116,166	96,554
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION | Shareholder equity
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	3,821,850	3,683,327
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(8,257)	(15,135)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15,614)	10,446
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(23,871)	(4,689)
Dividends on common stock	(57,358)	(57,109)
Other	3,350	10,723
Balance at end of period	3,744,917	3,631,411
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION | NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Changes in equity
Balance at beginning of period	108,736	91,899
NET INCOME (LOSS)	7,776	5,461
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAX
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	7,776	5,461
Balance at end of period	$ 116,512	$ 97,360