XML 50 R78.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Unrecognized compensation expense $ 27,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
   
Weighted-average period for recognition 1.7ppl_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
   
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Shares And Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 3,140,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 1,197,947us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (804,582)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (48,445)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 3,485,520us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3,140,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 31.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.3us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 26.01us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 30.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.07us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Total fair value of units vested during the period 21,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
19,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
27,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 793,199us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 555,553us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (177,036)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 1,171,716us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
793,199us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 32.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 34.55us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 34.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 31.41us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 29.11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 33.77us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 32.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Total fair value of units vested during the period 5,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years)   3 years 3 years
Maximum payout percentage of target award 200.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
Risk-free interest rate 0.75%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.36%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years) 3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility 15.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
15.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
19.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Not Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 3 years    
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Cash received from exercise of stock options 67,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year    
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Risk-free interest rate   1.15%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1.13%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years)   6.48ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6.17ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility   18.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
20.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Dividend yield   5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 11,381,482us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (2,338,520)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) 9,042,962us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
11,381,482us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance units 60.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance-contingent restricted stock units 40.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceContingentRestrictedStockUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Total percentage of performance-based long-term incentive mix that are equity awards 100.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixTotalPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Period that performance goals are evaluated (in years) 3    
Period after which, employee stock options expire (in years) 10    
Weighted-average exercise price per share at beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share, exercised (in dollars per share) $ 28.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.93us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.45us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) 5.9ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm3
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value 56,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 6,432,806us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 31.6us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options exercisable at end of period (in years) 5.2ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value, options exercisable at end of period 38,000,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)   $ 2.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 2.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised 13,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
All Plans [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Compensation expense 63,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
52,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
49,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Income tax benefit 26,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
22,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
20,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 15,769,431us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Period after the date of grant that employee must be employed before stock option exercise date can be accelerated (in years) P01Y    
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Period after grant, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 10ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Period after which, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement1
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 10,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 2,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 750,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 15,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Incentive Compensation Plan For Key Employees [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 14,199,796us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Unrecognized compensation expense 13,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
   
Weighted-average period for recognition 1.8ppl_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
   
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Restricted Shares And Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 1,343,404us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Transferred (in shares) 70,298ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 465,238us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (395,740)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (25,300)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 1,457,900us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1,343,404us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, transferred (in dollars per share) $ 27.43ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 31.7us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 26.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 30.54us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Total fair value of units vested during the period 10,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
7,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 170,609us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Transferred (in shares) 27,656ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 138,601us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (45,374)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 291,492us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
170,609us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 32.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, transferred (in dollars per share) $ 32.12ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 34.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 34.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 31.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 29.11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 33.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 32.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years)   3 years 3 years
Maximum payout percentage of target award 200.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
Risk-free interest rate 0.75%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.36%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years) 3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility 15.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
15.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
19.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Not Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 3 years    
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year    
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Risk-free interest rate   1.15%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1.13%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years)   6.48ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6.17ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility   18.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
20.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Dividend yield   5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 2,845,336us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Transferred (in shares) 458,800ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsTransferredInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (559,120)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) 2,745,016us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
2,845,336us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance units 60.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance-contingent restricted stock units 40.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceContingentRestrictedStockUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Total percentage of performance-based long-term incentive mix that are equity awards 100.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixTotalPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Period that performance goals are evaluated (in years) 3    
Period after which, employee stock options expire (in years) 10    
Weighted-average exercise price per share at beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share, transferred (in dollars per share) $ 30.47ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsTransferredInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share, exercised (in dollars per share) $ 28.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) 5.6ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm3
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value 17,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 2,166,150us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 31.24us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options exercisable at end of period (in years) 5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value, options exercisable at end of period 13,000,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)   $ 2.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 2.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Compensation expense 33,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
27,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
23,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Income tax benefit 14,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
11,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
10,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 15,769,431us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Period after the date of grant that employee must be employed before stock option exercise date can be accelerated (in years) P01Y    
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | Stock Incentive Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Period after grant, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 10ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Period after which, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 10,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 2,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 750,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 15,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan For Key Employees [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 14,199,796us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplEnergySupplyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Unrecognized compensation expense 3,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
   
Weighted-average period for recognition 1.8ppl_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
   
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Restricted Shares And Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 265,550us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Transferred (in shares) 2,270ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 103,511us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (78,370)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Forfeited (in shares) (6,150)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 286,811us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
265,550us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, transferred (in dollars per share) $ 29.03ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTransferredInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 31.81us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.55us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 26.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, forfeited (in dollars per share) $ 30.65us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Total fair value of units vested during the period 2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 38,210us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 29,701us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (8,296)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 59,615us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
38,210us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 32.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 34.43us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 33.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 31.37us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 28.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 33.77us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 32.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years)   3 years 3 years
Maximum payout percentage of target award 200.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
Risk-free interest rate 0.75%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.36%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years) 3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility 15.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
15.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
19.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Not Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 3 years    
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year    
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Risk-free interest rate   1.15%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1.13%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years)   6.48ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6.17ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility   18.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
20.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Dividend yield   5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 532,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (24,280)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) 507,920us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
532,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance units 60.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance-contingent restricted stock units 40.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceContingentRestrictedStockUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Total percentage of performance-based long-term incentive mix that are equity awards 100.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixTotalPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Period that performance goals are evaluated (in years) 3    
Period after which, employee stock options expire (in years) 10    
Weighted-average exercise price per share at beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share, exercised (in dollars per share) $ 30.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) 6.3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm3
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value 3,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 386,413us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 30.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options exercisable at end of period (in years) 5.8ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value, options exercisable at end of period 3,000,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)   $ 2.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 2.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | All Plans [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Compensation expense 12,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
10,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
11,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Income tax benefit 5,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
4,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
4,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 15,769,431us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Period after the date of grant that employee must be employed before stock option exercise date can be accelerated (in years) P01Y    
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | Stock Incentive Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Period after grant, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 10ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Period after which, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 10,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 2,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 750,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 15,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan For Key Employees [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 14,199,796us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_PplElectricUtilitiesCorpMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Unrecognized compensation expense 2,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
   
Weighted-average period for recognition 1.3ppl_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
   
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Restricted Shares And Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 231,553us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 112,625us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (2,710)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 341,468us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
231,553us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 29.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 30.98us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 30us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 29.97us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 29.76us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 29.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Total fair value of units vested during the period 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
4,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]      
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) 129,630us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Granted (in shares) 75,174us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Vested (in shares) (30,858)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) 173,946us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
129,630us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 31.88us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, granted (in dollars per share) $ 34.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 33.84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 31.3us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, vested (in dollars per share) $ 29.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share, nonvested - end of period (in dollars per share) $ 33.32us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 31.88us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years)   3 years 3 years
Maximum payout percentage of target award 200.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageOfTargetAward
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years 3 years
Risk-free interest rate 0.75%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.36%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
0.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years) 3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility 15.80%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
15.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
19.30%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Performance Units [Member] | Not Retirement Eligible [Member]      
Awards, other than equity based, additional disclosures (Details) [Abstract]      
Period over which performance units fair value is recognized (in years) 3 years    
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year 1 year 1 year
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Minimum period after which employee stock options become exercisable (in years) 1 year    
Fair value assumptions and methodology [Abstract]      
Risk-free interest rate   1.15%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
1.13%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected option life (in years)   6.48ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
6.17ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Expected stock volatility   18.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
20.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Dividend yield   5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
5.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]      
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) 997,156us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (373,839)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) 623,317us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
997,156us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance units 60.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Percentage of total of long-term incentive mix from performance-contingent restricted stock units 40.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixPerformanceContingentRestrictedStockUnitsPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Total percentage of performance-based long-term incentive mix that are equity awards 100.00%ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementEquityAwardsIncentiveMixTotalPercent
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Period that performance goals are evaluated (in years) 3    
Period after which, employee stock options expire (in years) 10    
Weighted-average exercise price per share at beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share, exercised (in dollars per share) $ 27.87us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price per share at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 28.64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 28.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
 
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) 7.5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm3
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value 5,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares) 215,106us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) $ 27.58us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options exercisable at end of period (in years) 6.9ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Aggregate total intrinsic value, options exercisable at end of period 2,000,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
   
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)   $ 2.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
$ 2.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | All Plans [Member] | All Awards [Member]      
Aggregate disclosures [Abstract]      
Compensation expense 8,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
8,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
8,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
Income tax benefit 3,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
3,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
4,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ppl_RestrictedStockRestrictedStockUnitsPerformanceUnitsAndStockOptionsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_AllIncentiveCompensationPlansMember
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 15,769,431us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
[1]    
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanMember
   
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]      
Stock options - additional disclosures [Abstract]      
Period after the date of grant that employee must be employed before stock option exercise date can be accelerated (in years) P01Y    
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | Stock Incentive Plan [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Period after grant, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 10ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Period after which, employee stock options expire upon retirement (in years) 5ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardExpirationDatingUponRetirement1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 10,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 2,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 750,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards 15,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_StockIncentivePlanMember
   
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] | Incentive Compensation Plan For Key Employees [Member]      
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]      
Maximum number of shares approved for awards under the plan (in shares) 14,199,796us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit total as % of PPL outstanding PPL common stock on first day of each calendar year 2.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfOutstandingStockMaximum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit options (in shares) 3,000,000ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLimitMaximumNumberOfOptionsAwardedUnderEachPlanToAnySingleEligibleEmployee
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards (in shares) 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimitShares
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
Annual grant limit for individual participants - performance based awards $ 0ppl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAnnualGrantLimit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ppl_IncentiveCompensationPlanForKeyEmployeesMember
   
[1]

Applicable to outstanding awards granted from January 27, 2006 to January 26, 2012. During 2012, the total plan award limit was reached and the ICP was replaced by the SIP.