Name:	ppl_CompensationIn2007AwardedForLeasePaymentUnderHydroElectricLitigationForRiverbedUse
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The longest term, in years, of purchases for electricy supply for customers under obligation as provider of last resort under current solicitation plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_CompetitiveSolicitationsToBeHeldForProviderOfLastResortSupplyPost2010LongestTermPurchase
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The shortest term, in months, of purchases for electricy supply for customers under obligation as provider of last resort under current solicitation plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_CompetitiveSolicitationsToBeHeldForProviderOfLastResortSupplyPost2010ShortestTermPurchase
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ppl_EnergyPurchaseCommitmentsNumericAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

At period end, the minimum remaining commitment under the Memoranda of Understanding related to the issuance of the renewal license for Missouri-Madison Dam project in Montana to fund programs to mitigate the impact on fish, wildlife and their habitats and to increase recreational programs.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_EstimateOfRemainingCommitmentOnSpecificMissouriMadisonProject
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	ppl_HydroelectricLicenseCommitmentsNumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Pre-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and the first quarter of 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_HydroLossContingencyLossInPeriodPreTax
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Period of years from December 1998 that the company was required to respond to the FERC with market analysis information after implementing market-based rates.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_InitialTimePeriodRequiredToRespondToInfoRequest
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ppl_LegalMattersBankruptcyOfSouthernMontanaElectricGenerationAndTransmissionCooperativeIncNumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ppl_LegalMattersMontanaHydroelectricLitigationNumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ppl_LegalMattersSpentNuclearFuelLitigationNumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

After-tax accrual reversal regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana. After a Supreme Court action, the reversal of prior amounts were reversed.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyAfterTaxLossAccrualReversal
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

After-tax accrual reversal regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana that impacted interest expense. After a Supreme Court action, the reversal of prior amounts were reversed.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyAfterTaxLossAccrualReversalImpactToInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

After-tax accrual reversal regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana that impacted other operation and maintence expense. After a Supreme Court action, the reversal of prior amounts were reversed.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyAfterTaxLossAccrualReversalImpactToOtherOperationMaintenance
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The annual interest rate applied to the amounts being accrued.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyInterestAccrualRate
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Pre-tax accrual adjustment regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossAccrualAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

After-tax accrual adjustment regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossAccrualAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Pre-tax accrual adjustment regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and 2008.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossAccrualAdjustmentPriorPeriods
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

After-tax accrual adjustment regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and 2008.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossAccrualAdjustmentPriorPeriodsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Per share (basic and diluted) impact of the after-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and the first quarter of 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodLossPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

After-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and the first quarter of 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Portion of pre-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana reflected in "Interest Expense" related to compensation for the period between 2000 and the first quarter of 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodRecordedInInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Portion of pre-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana reflected in "Other operation and maintenance" related to compensation for the period between 2000 and the first quarter of 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodRecordedInOperatingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Portion of pre-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodRelatedToPriorPeriods
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Portion of after-tax charge for litigation regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana related to compensation for the period between 2000 and 2009.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyLossInPeriodRelatedToPriorPeriodsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of days the State of Montana has to respond to the findings of the Supreme Court action.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyPeriodToRespond
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Pre-tax accrual reversal regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana. After a Supreme Court action, the reversal of prior amounts were reversed.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyPreTaxLossAccrualReversal
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Per share (basic and diluted) impact of the after-tax reversal of a litigation accrual regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_LossContingencyReversalPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of civil penalties that can be assessed by the FERC under the Federal Power Act per day, per violation, for certain violations.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_MaximumPerDayPenaltyFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionMayAssessUnderReliabilityStandards
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

At period end, number of hydroelectric facilities owned and operated by the company in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_NumberHydroElectricFacilitiesInMontana
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of competitive solicitations completed to date related to the June 2009 PUC-approved purchase plan for PLR supply after 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_NumberOfCompetitiveSolicitationsCompletedForProviderOfLastResortSupplyPost2010
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of dams related to Missouri-Madison Dam project for which Memoranda of Understanding exists in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_NumberOfDamsRelatedToMissouriMadisonProject
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of Memoranda of Understanding related to the issuance of the renewal license for Missouri-Madison Dam project In Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_NumberOfMemorandaOfUnderstandingsRelatedToMissouriMadisonProject
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

At period end, number of storage reservoirs owned by the company in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_NumberStorageReservoirsInMontana
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

At period end, the minimum remaining amount the company has committed to spend on the Kerr Dam project in Montana through 2015.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_PeriodEndEstimateOfRemainingCommitmentOnKerrDamProject
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Entity's contingent potential proportionate share of OVEC's outstanding debt.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_ProportionateShareOfOhioValleyElectricCorporationOutstandingDebt
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	ppl_RegulatoryIssuesEnergyPolicyActOf2005NumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	ppl_RegulatoryIssuesFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionMarketBasedRateAuthorityNumericAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the company's share of the settlement for litigation related to the U.S. government's responsibility to provide for the permanent disposal of commercial spent nuclear fuel. The settlement is in lieu of the government providing a repository site for reimbursment to a company's subsidiary costs incurred to store spent nuclear fuel through September 30, 2009. In addition, the agreement provides the ability to receive payment of annual claims for allowed costs, as set forth in the settlement agreement, that are incurred thereafter through the December 31, 2013 termination date of the settlement agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_SpentNuclearFuelLitigationSettlementProceeds
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Frequency (in years), after initial filing, that the company is required to respond to the FERC with market analysis information after implementing market-based rates.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_SubsequentFrequencyRequiredToRespondToInfoRequest
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The term, in years, the company is required to operate the Kerr Dam project in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_TermCompanyRequiredToOperateKerrDamProject
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of compensation awarded in 2008 by the Montana District Court regarding the company's use of navigable riverbeds for periods 2000 to 2006.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_Through20002006CompensationAwardedForLeasePaymentUnderHydroElectricLitigationForRiverbedUse
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Total number of competitive solicitations to be conducted under the June 2009 PUC-approved purchase plan for PLR supply after 2010.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_TotalNumberOfCompetitiveSolicitationsToBeHeldForProviderOfLastResortSupplyPost2010
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Total term, in years, of Kerr Dam project license in Montana.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_TotalTermOfKerrDamProjectLicense
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than four and within five years from the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 47

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 440

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25336-109308

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid within one year of the balance sheet date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than three and within four years from the balance sheet date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than one and within two years from the balance sheet date.

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnSecondAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than two and within three years from the balance sheet date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation as of the balance sheet date.

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid after five years from the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueAfterFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount purchased during the period under an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation (for example, under the take-or-pay or throughput contract).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 47

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 440

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25336-109308