Commitments (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Inspection_cycle	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Construction program investment in 2012	$ 5,300,000,000
Construction program investment in 2013	4,400,000,000
Construction program investment in 2014	4,300,000,000
Estimated amounts of environmental redediation expense in 2012	425,000,000
Estimated amounts of environmental redediation expense in 2013	405,000,000
Estimated amounts of environmental redediation expense in 2014	621,000,000
Number of major inspection cycles per unit through which the LTSA are in effect	2
Remaining life of the agreement	Up to 34 years
Maximum Remaining life of the agreement	34 years
Total operating lease expenses	176,000,000	188,000,000	186,000,000
Obligations and Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Total remaining payments under Long-Term Service Agreements for facilities owned	1,900,000,000
Total charges for nuclear fuel included in fuel expense	6,262,000,000	6,699,000,000	5,952,000,000
Commitments Related To Lessee (Textual) [Abstract]
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2012	121,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2013	102,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2014	81,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2015	43,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2016	32,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2017	85,000,000
Alabama Power and Georgia Power [Member]
Commitments Related To Lessee (Textual) [Abstract]
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2012	1,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2013	39,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2014	18,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2015	5,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2016	4,000,000
Leasing cost for combined cycle generating facility, 2017	24,000,000
Georgia Power [Member]
Obligations and Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Total remaining payments under Long-Term Service Agreements for facilities owned	4,500,000
Total charges for nuclear fuel included in fuel expense	2,789,000,000	3,102,000,000	2,717,000,000
Mississippi Power [Member]
Obligations and Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Total charges for nuclear fuel included in fuel expense	490,415,000	501,830,000	519,687,000
Minimum Annual Management Fee	38,000,000
Nuclear Fuel [Member]
Obligations and Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2012	353,000,000
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2013	197,000,000
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2014	206,000,000
Estimated expenditures (based on minimum contracted obligated dollars), Fourth Year	145,000,000
Estimated expenditures (based on minimum contracted obligated dollars), Fifth year	92,000,000
Minimum contractual obligation under Limestone contracts	1,733,000,000
Total charges for nuclear fuel included in fuel expense	215,000,000	184,000,000	160,000,000
Limestone Commitments [Member]
Obligations and Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2012	41,000,000
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2013	42,000,000
Fuel and Purchased Power Commitments, 2014	42,000,000
Estimated expenditures (based on minimum contracted obligated dollars), Fourth Year	29,000,000
Estimated expenditures (based on minimum contracted obligated dollars), Fifth year	22,000,000
Minimum contractual obligation under Limestone contracts	5,600,000
Minimum contractual obligation under Limestone contracts	$ 246,000,000