CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 PPL Energy Supply [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 LKE [Member] Successor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 LKE [Member] Successor [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 LKE [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 LKE [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 LGE [Member] Successor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 LGE [Member] Successor [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 LGE [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 LGE [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 KU [Member] Successor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 KU [Member] Successor [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 KU [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 KU [Member] Predecessor [Member]
Net income	$ 1,512	$ 959	$ 426	$ 769	$ 862	$ 247	$ 47	$ 265	$ 190	$ (1,537)	$ 19	$ 124	$ 109	$ 95	$ 35	$ 178	$ 140	$ 133
Amounts arising during the period - gains (losses), net of tax (expense) benefit:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(48)	(59)	101	0	(59)	101	0	0	0	(6)
Available-for-sale securities, net of tax	9	29	49	9	29	49
Qualifying derivatives, net of tax	202	219	492	267	305	454	0	0	10	4	0	0	10	5
Equity investees' other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	(2)	0					0	0	(2)	0
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service costs, net of tax	(3)	17	1	(2)	12	1	0	(2)	0	0
Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax	(152)	(80)	(340)	(22)	(63)	(326)	6	0	(20)	10
Transition obligation, net of tax	0	8	0	0	6	0
Reclassifications to net income - (gains) losses, net of tax expense (benefit):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(7)	(5)	(4)	(7)	(5)	(4)
Qualifying derivatives, net of tax	(370)	(126)	131	(353)	(145)	131	0	0	0	(1)	0	0	0	(1)
Equity investee's other comprehensive income (loss)	3	0	0	3	0	0
Defined benefit plans:
Prior service costs, net of tax	10	12	13	4	9	9	0	0	1	4
Net actuarial loss, net of tax	47	41	4	4	39	4	0	0	1	4
Transition obligation, net of tax	0	2	1	0	1	1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(309)	58	449	(97)	129	421	6	(2)	(10)	15	0	0	10	4	0	0	(2)	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,203	1,017	875	672	991	668	53	263	180	(1,522)	19	124	119	99	35	178	138	133
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17	21	19	1	1	1	0	0	0	5
Other comprehensive income allocable to discontinued operations [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax							0	0	0	3
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to PPL Corporation	$ 1,186	$ 996	$ 856	$ 671	$ 990	$ 667	$ 53	$ 263	$ 180	$ (1,524)