Utility Rate Regulation Utility Rate Regulation (Other) (Detail (Details) - Unaffiliated Third Party Entity [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
PPL Electric [Member]
Purchases Of Accounts Receivable [Line Items]
Purchases of Accounts Receivable	$ 376	$ 356
PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member]
Purchases Of Accounts Receivable [Line Items]
Purchases of Accounts Receivable	$ 376	$ 356

Accounts receivable purchased under a Public Utility Commission-approved program whereby certain accounts receivable are purchased and recorded at fair value from affiliated or unaffiliated alternative suppliers at a nominal discount.

No definition available.

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