Financial Instruments (Estimates of the Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Special use funds	$ 3,867		$ 3,742
Other investments [Abstract]
Special use funds: equity method investments	164		76
Special use funds: loans	39		17
Available for sale debt securities amortized cost	1,638		1,616
Available for sale equity securities amortized cost	1,425		1,489
Held to maturity notes receivable maturity date - low	2014
Held to maturity notes receivable maturity date - high	2029
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Special use funds	3,867	[1]	3,742	[1]
Other investments [Abstract]
Notes receivable	503		525
Debt securities	89	[2]	114	[2]
Equity securities	80		57
Long-term debt, including current maturities	21,614		19,929
Interest rate swaps - net unrealized gains (losses)	(283)		(16)
Foreign currency swaps - net unrealized gains (losses)	18		44
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Special use funds	3,867	[3]	3,742	[3]
Other investments [Abstract]
Notes receivable	535	[4]	583	[4]
Debt securities	89	[3]	114	[3]
Equity securities	159	[5]	125	[5]
Long-term debt, including current maturities	23,699	[6]	20,756	[6]
Interest rate swaps - net unrealized gains (losses)	(283)	[7]	(16)	[7]
Foreign currency swaps - net unrealized gains (losses)	$ 18	[7]	$ 44	[7]

[1] At December 31, 2011, includes $164 million of investments accounted for under the equity method and $39 million of loans not measured at fair value on a recurring basis ($112 million and $24 million, respectively, for FPL). At December 31, 2010, includes $76 million of investments accounted for under the equity method and $17 million of loans not measured at fair value on a recurring basis ($94 million and $11 million, respectively, for FPL). For the remaining balance, see Note 4 for classification by major security type. The amortized cost of debt and equity securities is $1,638 million and $1,425 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and $1,616 million and $1,489 million, respectively, at December 31, 2010 ($1,321 million and $864 million, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and $1,281 million and $943 million, respectively, at December 31, 2010 for FPL).

[2] Classified as trading securities.

[3] Based on quoted market prices for these or similar issues.

[4] Classified as held to maturity. Based on market prices provided by external sources. Notes receivable bear interest primarily at fixed rates and mature from 2014 to 2029. Notes receivable are considered impaired and placed in non-accrual status when it becomes probable that all amounts due cannot be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the agreement. The assessment to place notes receivable in non-accrual status considers various credit indicators, such as credit standings and ratings and market-related information. As of December 31, 2011, neither NEE nor FPL had any notes receivable reported in non-accrual status.

[5] Modeled internally based on latest market data.

[6] Provided by external sources based on market prices indicative of market conditions.

[7] Modeled internally based on market values using discounted cash flow analysis and credit valuation adjustment.