Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - GAS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Net cash paid for capitalized interest	$ 132	$ 103	$ 92
Southern Company Gas
Net cash paid for capitalized interest	$ 16	$ 10	$ 8

Amount of cash paid for interest capitalized, classified as investing activity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482913/230-10-50-2

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration