Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 03, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000092521
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100