Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Southern - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Treasury	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)			(1,000,000)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		1,058,000,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 32,234	$ 5,268	$ (46)	$ 11,834	$ 11,311	$ (395)	$ 4,262
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	2,294				2,393		(99)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	158					158
Stock issued (in shares)		3,000,000
Stock issued	73	$ 11		62
Stock-based compensation	62			62
Cash dividends on common stock	(2,777)				(2,777)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	590						590
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(351)						(351)
Other	(7)		(1)	(8)	2
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021		1,061,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2021	32,276	$ 5,279	$ (47)	11,950	10,929	(237)	4,402
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)			(1,000,000)
Consolidated net income (loss)	3,417				3,524		(107)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	71					71
Stock issued (in shares)		29,000,000
Stock issued	1,808	$ 138		1,670
Stock-based compensation	44			44
Cash dividends on common stock	(2,907)				(2,907)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	88						88
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(259)						(259)
Other	(6)		$ (6)	9	(8)	(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022		1,090,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 34,532	$ 5,417	$ (53)	13,673	11,538	(167)	4,124
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	(1,000,000.0)		(1,000,000)
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 3,849				3,976		(127)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(10)					(10)
Stock issued (in shares)		2,000,000
Stock issued	36	$ 6		30
Stock-based compensation	73			73
Cash dividends on common stock	(3,035)				(3,035)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	21						21
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(236)						(236)
Other	(5)		$ (6)	(1)	3		(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023		1,092,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2023	$ 35,225	$ 5,423	$ (59)	$ 13,775	$ 12,482	$ (177)	$ 3,781
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	(1,000,000.0)		(1,000,000)