Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 5	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000,000.0	1,500,000,000.0
Common stock, shares issued	922,000,000	915,000,000
Treasury shares at cost	3,400,000	3,400,000
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	5,642,717	5,642,717
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	$ 13	$ 12
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