Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Narrative (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	31.40%	34.10%
Significantly increase or decrease in the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits associated with a majority of Southern	12 months
Alabama Power [Member]
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	39.20%	38.90%
Georgia Power [Member]
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	38.20%	34.20%
Gulf Power [Member]
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	37.70%	36.60%
Mississippi Power [Member]
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	(41.00%)	25.20%
Southern Power [Member]
Effective Tax Rate and Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	25.10%	35.90%