Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - SPC - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 3,849	$ 3,428	$ 2,309
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided from operating activities —
Depreciation and amortization, total	4,986	4,064	3,973
Deferred income taxes	63	670	(49)
Other, net	(138)	(25)	(89)
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities —
-Receivables	482	(771)	(77)
-Other current assets	(106)	(186)	(270)
-Accounts payable	(863)	1,021	(8)
-Other current liabilities	214	204	(258)
Net cash provided from operating activities	7,553	6,302	6,169
Investing Activities:
Property additions	(9,095)	(7,923)	(7,586)
Proceeds from dispositions	164	275	917
Payments pursuant to LTSAs	(99)	(190)	(188)
Other investing activities	(43)	(133)	75
Net cash used for investing activities	(9,668)	(8,430)	(7,353)
Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net		(337)
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net	973		530
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	21	73	501
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(234)	(259)	(351)
Payment of common stock dividends	(3,035)	(2,907)	(2,777)
Other financing activities	(160)	(218)	(266)
Net cash provided from financing activities	999	2,336	1,945
Net Change in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	(1,116)	208	761
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Year	2,037	1,829	1,068
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Year	921	2,037	1,829
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	2,184	1,758	1,718
Income taxes, net	132	146	93
Noncash transactions —
Accrued property additions at year-end	1,027	1,024	866
LTSA credits utilized from the sale of spare parts	23	0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	15	89
Contributions of wind turbine equipment	0	0	82
Southern Power
Operating Activities:
Net Income	230	247	167
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided from operating activities —
Depreciation and amortization, total	524	543	542
Deferred income taxes	16	9	55
Utilization of federal investment tax credits	332	49	288
Amortization of investment tax credits	(58)	(58)	(58)
Gain on dispositions, net	(20)	(2)	(41)
Loss on sales-type leases	0	1	40
Other, net	28	18	(1)
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities —
-Receivables	121	(82)	(44)
-Prepaid income taxes	2	22	(16)
-Other current assets	(24)	(11)	(14)
-Accounts payable	(60)	68	30
-Other current liabilities	5	11	3
Net cash provided from operating activities	1,096	815	951
Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(181)	0	(345)
Property additions	(118)	(100)	(396)
Change in construction payables	21	(69)	(15)
Proceeds from dispositions	59	48	24
Payments pursuant to LTSAs	(50)	(71)	(82)
Other investing activities	4	(2)	11
Net cash used for investing activities	(265)	(194)	(803)
Financing Activities:
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net	(83)
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net		10	36
Proceeds — Senior notes	0	0	400
Redemptions — Senior notes	(290)	(677)	(300)
Capital contributions from parent company	18	430	8
Return of capital to parent company	0	0	(271)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	21	73	501
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(234)	(259)	(351)
Payment of common stock dividends	(252)	(198)	(204)
Other financing activities	0	(2)	(14)
Net cash provided from financing activities	(820)	(623)	(195)
Net Change in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	11	(2)	(47)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Year	133	135	182
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Year	144	133	135
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	122	142	140
Income taxes, net	(254)	(15)	(275)
Noncash transactions —
Accrued property additions at year-end	59	24	72
LTSA credits utilized from the sale of spare parts	23	0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	15	89
Contributions of wind turbine equipment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 82