FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / MMBTU
ALABAMA POWER CO \| Private equity
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 68
Unfunded commitments	67
SOUTHERN Co GAS \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Energy-related derivatives
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair value of derivatives	$ 42
SOUTHERN Co GAS \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Energy-related derivatives \| Forward Price \| Valuation, Market Approach \| Minimum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Measurement input (usd per mmbtu) \| $ / MMBTU	(1.11)
SOUTHERN Co GAS \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Energy-related derivatives \| Forward Price \| Valuation, Market Approach \| Maximum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Measurement input (usd per mmbtu) \| $ / MMBTU	0.24

Fair value of investment other than investment in equity security, investment in debt security and equity method investment. Includes, but is not limited to, investment in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share. Example includes, but is not limited to, investment in hedge fund, venture capital fund, private equity fund, and real estate partnership or fund.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6A
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Value of input used to measure net derivative asset (liability).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
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-Section 50
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Fair values as of the balance sheet date of the net amount of all assets and liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
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The amount of unfunded commitments for which the entity is obligated, to those certain investments for which net asset value per share is calculated (including by unit, membership interest, or other equity (ownership interest) unit measure) (alternative investments).

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