The number of miles surrounding the plant that a class of plaintiffs could include in a class action suit.

No definition available.

Name:	ppl_CanRunPlantClassOfResidentsMilesWithinPlant
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	num:lengthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency at the Can Run plant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of Clean Air Act violation claims that remains unresolved after a July 2014 court ruling.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of coal-fired generating units retired at the Cane Run plant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period when purchase commitment is set to mature.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentMaximumMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	ppl_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date of contract expiration of long-term contract to purchase electricity from a production plant, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 10.D)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499423&loc=d3e659339-123030

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDateOfContractExpiration
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77896938&loc=d3e25336-109308

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the unrecorded obligation to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices (for example, as in take-or-pay contracts or throughput contracts).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the fixed and determinable portion of the unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77896938&loc=d3e25336-109308

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ppl_ByCompanyAxis=ppl_LouisvilleGasAndElectricAndKentuckyUtilitiesEnergyLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=ppl_PowerPurchaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_ByCompanyAxis=ppl_LouisvilleGasAndElectricCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_ByCompanyAxis=ppl_LouisvilleGasAndElectricCompanyAndKentuckyUtilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentsAxis=ppl_NaturalGasFuelPurchaseContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentsAxis=ppl_NaturalGasRetailSupplyPurchaseContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentsAxis=ppl_CoalPurchaseContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentsAxis=ppl_CoalTransportationAndFleetingServicesPurchaseContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ppl_PurchaseCommitmentsAxis=ppl_NaturalGasTransportationPurchaseContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ppl_LGAndEAndKUEnergyLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ppl_LouisvilleGasAndElectricCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ppl_KentuckyUtilitiesCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Commitments and Contingencies (Energy Purchases, Energy Sales, Other Commitments and Legal Matters) (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 coal-fired_unit	Mar. 31, 2015 coal-fired_unit	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) claim resident mi	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
LKE [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Expiration date of the power purchase agreement with OVEC			Jun. 30, 2040
LKE [Member] \| Power Purchase [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
2018			$ 29
2019			27
2020			26
2021			27
2022			27
Thereafter			457
Total future obligation			593
Purchases			$ 20	$ 23	$ 22
LGE [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of residents that filed class action suit \| resident			6
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			4
Number of remaining unresolved Clean Air Act violation claims after July 2014 court ruling \| claim			1
Generating units retired at the Cane Run plant \| coal-fired_unit	2	1
LGE [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			1
LGE [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			3
LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Fuel Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Retail Supply Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LGE and KU [Member] \| Coal [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2023
LGE and KU [Member] \| Coal Transportation And Fleeting Services [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2024
LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Transportation [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2026
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Expiration date of the power purchase agreement with OVEC			Jun. 30, 2040
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			4
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| Power Purchase [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
2018			$ 29
2019			27
2020			26
2021			27
2022			27
Thereafter			457
Total future obligation			593
Purchases			$ 20	23	22
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of residents that filed class action suit \| resident			6
Number of remaining unresolved Clean Air Act violation claims after July 2014 court ruling \| claim			1
Generating units retired at the Cane Run plant \| coal-fired_unit	2	1
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			1
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			3
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Fuel Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Retail Supply Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE and KU [Member] \| Coal [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2023
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE and KU [Member] \| Coal Transportation And Fleeting Services [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2024
LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] \| LGE and KU [Member] \| Natural Gas Transportation [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2026
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Expiration date of the power purchase agreement with OVEC			Jun. 30, 2040
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of residents that filed class action suit \| resident			6
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			4
Number of remaining unresolved Clean Air Act violation claims after July 2014 court ruling \| claim			1
Generating units retired at the Cane Run plant \| coal-fired_unit	2	1
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			1
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Legal Matters - Cane Run Environmental Claims (Numeric) [Abstract]
Number of miles within plant that would include a class of residents \| mi			3
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Power Purchase [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
2018			$ 20
2019			19
2020			18
2021			19
2022			19
Thereafter			316
Total future obligation			411
Purchases			$ 14	16	15
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Natural Gas Fuel Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Natural Gas Retail Supply Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Coal [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2023
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Coal Transportation And Fleeting Services [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2024
LOUISVILLE GAS And ELECTRIC CO [Member] \| Natural Gas Transportation [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2026
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Expiration date of the power purchase agreement with OVEC			Jun. 30, 2040
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Power Purchase [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
2018			$ 9
2019			8
2020			8
2021			8
2022			8
Thereafter			141
Total future obligation			182
Purchases			$ 6	$ 7	$ 7
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Natural Gas Fuel Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Natural Gas Retail Supply Purchase Contracts [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2019
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Coal [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2023
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Coal Transportation And Fleeting Services [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2024
Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] \| Natural Gas Transportation [Member]
Energy Purchase Commitments (Numeric) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity date			2026