Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value per share	$ 5	$ 5
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	862,000,000	844,000,000
Treasury shares at cost	500,000	500,000
Alabama Power [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value per share	$ 40	$ 40
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	30,537,500	30,537,500
Georgia Power [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,261,500	9,261,500
Gulf Power [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	4,142,717	3,642,717
Mississippi Power [Member]
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common Stock, No Par Value
Common stock, shares authorized	1,130,000	1,130,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,121,000	1,121,000
Southern Power [Member]
Other Property and Investments:
Amortization expense on other intangible assets	$ 1,280	$ 693
Common Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,000	1,000