Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Southern Company [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	901,000,000	893,000,000
Treasury shares at cost	700,000	5,700,000
Alabama Power [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 40	$ 40
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	30,537,500	30,537,500
Georgia Power [Member]
Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,261,500	9,261,500
Gulf Power [Member]
Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,442,717	4,942,717
Mississippi Power [Member]
Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized	1,130,000	1,130,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,121,000	1,121,000
Southern Power [Member]
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 7,583	$ 5,614
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,000	1,000