Financing Activities (Distributions and Capital Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Billions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Distributions (Numeric) [Abstract]
Quarterly common stock dividend declaration date	2012-02	2011-11
Dividend payable date of quarterly common stock dividend	Apr. 01, 2012	Jan. 03, 2012
Current quarterly common stock dividend (in dollars per share)		$ 0.350	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 0.350	[1],[2]	$ 1.40	$ 1.40	$ 1.38
Quarterly common stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.360
Annualized current quarterly common stock dividend	$ 1.44	$ 1.40
Restricted net assets of Kentucky regulated subsidiary			$ 4.4																$ 4.4
Dividend rate per share on Preference Shares																			$ 1.5625

[1] Quarterly results can vary depending on, among other things, weather and the forward pricing of power. In addition, earnings in 2011 and 2010 were affected by special items. Accordingly, comparisons among quarters of a year may not be indicative of overall trends and changes in operations.

[2] PPL has paid quarterly cash dividends on its common stock in every year since 1946. Future dividends, declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors, will be dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, financial requirements and other factors.