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

Capacity (in MW) of natural gas-fired combined-cycle generating facility to be owned by CPV Maryland, LLC.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_CapacityOfNaturalGasFiredCombinedCycleGeneratingFacility
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:powerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

Number of intent to sue notices receved.

No definition available.

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

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

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

Pre-tax gain (loss) incurred for modifications to the long-term purchase commitment.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

The interest portion of the value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

No definition available.

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

The annual interest rate applied to the amounts being accrued.

No definition available.

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

Period (in days) until a lawsuit can be filed after the applicable notice date under the Clean Air Act.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

The settlement amount reached by both parties for spot market bilateral sales made in the Pacific Northeast.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

Number of electric utilities ordered by the Maryland Public Service Commission to enter into long-term contracts to support construction of new electric generating facilities.

No definition available.

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

The number of claims alleging wrong doing for prior periods spot market bilateral sales of power in Pacific Northwest that were unsettled at period end.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5074-111524

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10)

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

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

Amount of bankruptcy claim filed with bankruptcy court.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 90-7

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

Name:	us-gaap_BankruptcyClaimsAmountOfClaimsFiled
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 11

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

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9

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

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 10

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

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 12

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