Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of period	$ 18,253	$ 17,855	$ 16,984	$ 16,984
Additions Charged to Income	31,074	43,537	36,788
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	35,986	43,139	35,917
Balance at End of Period	13,341	18,253	17,855	13,341
Alabama Power [Member] | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of period	9,143	8,350	8,450	8,450
Additions Charged to Income	13,500	14,309	12,327
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	13,046	13,516	12,427
Balance at End of Period	9,597	9,143	8,350	9,597
Georgia Power [Member] | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of period	6,076	5,074	6,259	6,259
Additions Charged to Income	16,862	24,141	18,362
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	20,791	23,139	19,547
Balance at End of Period	2,147	6,076	5,074	2,147
Gulf Power [Member] | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of period	2,087	1,131	1,490	1,490
Additions Charged to Income	2,041	4,304	1,900
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	3,353	3,348	2,259
Balance at End of Period	775	2,087	1,131	775
Mississippi Power [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Retail Rate Recovery	371,000			342,000
Mississippi Power [Member] | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of period	825	3,018	373	373
Additions Charged to Income	(1,994)	562	3,757
Additions Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	(1,456)	2,755	1,112
Balance at End of Period	$ 287	$ 825	$ 3,018	$ 287