Financing (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Credit arrangements by company
Total	$ 5,179
Unused	5,137
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	572
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	41
Expires, 2011	764
Expires, 2012	245
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	4,170
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	613
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	397
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2016
Ratio of indebtedness to capitalization covenant	65.00%
Southern Company [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	1,000
Unused	1,000
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	0
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	0
Expires, 2012	0
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	1,000
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	0
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	0
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	1,000
Alabama Power [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	1,268
Unused	1,268
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	372
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	393
Expires, 2012	75
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	800
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	372
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	97
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	800
Alabama Power [Member] | Credit Arrangements Expire In 2012 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	22
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2012
Alabama Power [Member] | Credit Arrangements Expire In 2013 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	35
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2013
Alabama Power [Member] | Credit Arrangements Expire In 2014 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	200
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2014
Alabama Power [Member] | Existing Credit Arrangements Expire In 2011 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	238
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2011
Georgia Power [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	1,775
Unused	1,763
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	0
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	175
Expires, 2012	0
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	1,600
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	0
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	175
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	1,500
Georgia Power [Member] | Credit Arrangements Expire In 2014 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	150
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2014
Georgia Power [Member] | Existing Credit Arrangements Expire In 2011 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	175
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2011
Gulf Power [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	280
Unused	250
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	115
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	120
Expires, 2012	55
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	105
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	115
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	60
Gulf Power [Member] | Credit Arrangements Expire In 2014 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	60
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2014
Gulf Power [Member] | Existing Credit Arrangements Expire In 2011 [Member]
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	60
Credit Arrangements expiration period	2011
Mississippi Power [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	296
Unused	296
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	25
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	41
Expires, 2011	41
Expires, 2012	90
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	165
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	66
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	65
Southern Power [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	500
Unused	500
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	0
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	0
Expires, 2012	0
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	500
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	0
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	0
Financing (Textuals) [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	500
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Credit arrangements by company
Total	60
Unused	60
Executable Term-Loans, One Year	60
Executable Term-Loans, Two Years	0
Expires, 2011	35
Expires, 2012	25
Expires, 2013 And Beyond	0
Expires Within One Year, Term Out	60
Expires Within One Year, No Term Out	$ 0