Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 27, 2020
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-5532-99
Entity Registrant Name	PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OR
Entity Tax Identification Number	93-0256820
Entity Address, Address Line One	121 SW Salmon Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Portland
Entity Address, State or Province	OR
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	97204
City Area Code	503
Local Phone Number	464-8000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		89,508,545
Entity Central Index Key	0000784977
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	9.31% Medium-Term Notes due 2021
Trading Symbol	POR 21
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	9.31% Medium-Term Notes due 2021
Trading Symbol	POR 21
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Common Stock [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	POR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	POR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE