New Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Less Service Cost	$ 66
Capitalized Portion Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	37.00%

Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Less Service Cost

No definition available.

Name:	aep_NetPeriodicBenefitCostCreditLessServiceCost
Namespace Prefix:	aep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration