Name:	dpl_AnnualCo2EmissionsGenerationAtStations
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Standard set by USEPA on CO2 emmisions on new electric generating units (EGUs).

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_Co2TonsPerMegawattHourForUsepaStandardOnNewEgus
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

An agreement under which a supplier commits to supply a specified amount of coal over a specified period, and DP&L commits to purchase the coal supplied over the specified period.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_CoalSupplyAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Coal Supply Failure By Suppliers

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_CoalSupplyFailureBySuppliers
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This item represents the amount of total guarantees provided to third parties for future financial or performance assurance. The guarantees are provided to enhance the creditworthiness attributed DPL's subsidiaries, DPLE and DPLER, on a stand-alone basis. Any, against the loss of value in the underlying assets in the security which were considered and relied upon as one of the potential factors in reaching a conclusion that the available-for-sale investments are not other-than -temporarily impaired.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_DisclosureOtherThirdPartyGuaranteesAmount
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Due to third parties current.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_DueToThirdPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Emission Reductions in S02 and NOx

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_EmissionReductions
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Long Term Debt Date Range Equity Ownership, End

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_LongTermDebtDateRangeEquityOwnershipEnd
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Long Term Debt Date Range Equity Ownership, Start

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_LongTermDebtDateRangeEquityOwnershipStart
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of Auxiliary Boilers

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_NumberOfAuxiliaryBoilers
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_NumberOfTonsOfCo2EmittedPerYearIncludingElectricGeneratingUnits
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:massItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage ownership in a coal-fired power plant or electric generating unit

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_PercentageOfCoalFirePowerPlantHoldings
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage of total electric energy generated from coal sources.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_PercentageOfEnergyGeneratedByCoal
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The noncontrolling equity interest in an electric generation company, accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_PublicUtilitiesEquityInterestCostMethodPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount of estimated penalties per day collected by a regulating authority for each environmental violation.

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_ReliefAndCivilPenalties
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the aggregate cost of investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 12

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentAggregateCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of reserves for the costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process attributable to asbestos and environmental claims, net of estimated reinsurance recoveries.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-PLI

-Paragraph 132, 133, 135, 136, 137

-IssueDate 2006-09-01

-Chapter 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 94-5

-Paragraph 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForAsbestosAndEnvironmentalClaimsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section H