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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) $ 2,031,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 1,710,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 2,415,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 2,293,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet 2,298,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet 2,145,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
Deferred income taxes 709,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 496,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit 1,096,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Investment tax credits 35,000,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit 302,000,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit 128,000,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (245,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity (190,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity (143,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
Pension, postretirement, and other employee benefits (515,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense 131,000,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense (398,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
Stock based compensation expense 63,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense 59,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense 55,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
Estimated loss on Kemper IGCC 868,000,000so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject 1,180,000,000so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject 0so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (22,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits (16,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits (23,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
Other, net (38,000,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense (41,000,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense 51,000,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (352,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables (153,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables 234,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
-Fossil fuel stock 408,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories 481,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories (452,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
-Materials and supplies (67,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories 36,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories (97,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
-Other current assets (57,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets (11,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets (37,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
-Accounts payable 267,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable 72,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable (89,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
-Accrued taxes (105,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes (85,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes (71,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
-Accrued compensation 255,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries (138,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries (28,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
-Mirror CWIP 180,000,000so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress 0so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress 0so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress
-Other current liabilities 85,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities (50,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities 89,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
Net cash provided from operating activities 5,815,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities 6,097,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities 4,898,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (5,977,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment (5,463,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment (4,809,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Investment in restricted cash (11,000,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash (149,000,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash (280,000,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash
Distribution of restricted cash 57,000,000so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash 96,000,000so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash 284,000,000so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund purchases (916,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund (986,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund (1,046,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales 914,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund 984,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund 1,043,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
Cost of removal, net of salvage (170,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts (131,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts (149,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
Change in construction payables (107,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables (126,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables (84,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
Prepaid Long-Term Service Agreement (181,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement (91,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement (146,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement
Other investing activities (17,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities 124,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities 19,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
Net cash used for investing activities (6,408,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities (5,742,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities (5,168,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Financing Activities:      
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net (676,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt 662,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt (30,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
Proceeds --      
Long-term debt issuances 3,169,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet 2,938,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet 4,404,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet
Interest-bearing refundable deposit related to asset sale 125,000,000so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale 0so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale 150,000,000so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale
Issuance of preference stock 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock 50,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
Common stock issuances 806,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock 695,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock 397,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Long-term debt (816,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecurities (2,830,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecurities (3,169,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecurities
Common stock repurchased (5,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock (20,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock (430,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Payment of common stock dividends (1,866,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock (1,762,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock (1,693,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Payment of dividends on preferred and preference stock of subsidiaries (68,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsMinorityInterest (66,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsMinorityInterest (65,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsMinorityInterest
Other financing activities (25,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities 9,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities 19,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities 644,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities (324,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities (417,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 51,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease 31,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease (687,000,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 659,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 628,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 1,315,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 710,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 659,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 628,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 732,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet 759,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet 803,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
Income taxes (net of refunds) 272,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet 139,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet 38,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests 221,000,000so_NoncontrollingInterestIncreasefromContributionsfromNoncontrollingInterestHolders    
Alabama Power [Member]      
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) 800,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
751,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
743,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 724,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
816,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
767,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Deferred income taxes 270,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
198,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
164,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (49,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(32,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(19,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Pension, postretirement, and other employee benefits (61,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
9,000,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(21,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Stock based compensation expense 11,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
10,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
9,000,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (8,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(8,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(8,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Other, net 17,000,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(38,000,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(24,000,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (58,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
2,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
23,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Fossil fuel stock 61,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
146,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(132,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Materials and supplies (17,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
19,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(21,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Other current assets (11,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
5,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(4,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Accounts payable 157,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
35,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(77,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Accrued taxes (199,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(23,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(12,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Accrued compensation 50,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(23,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(3,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Retail fuel cost over-recovery—short-term 5,000,000so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
42,000,000so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
1,000,000so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
-Other current liabilities 9,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(3,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(18,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net cash provided from operating activities 1,709,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
1,914,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
1,376,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (1,457,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(1,107,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(867,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund purchases (245,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(280,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(194,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales 244,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
279,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
193,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Cost of removal, net of salvage (77,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(47,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(33,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Change in construction payables (10,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(13,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
12,000,000so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Other investing activities (22,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
26,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(45,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net cash used for investing activities (1,567,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(1,142,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(934,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Proceeds --      
Capital contributions from parent company 28,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
24,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
27,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Pollution control revenue bonds issuances and remarketings 254,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Senior note issuances 400,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
300,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
1,000,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Pollution control revenue bonds (254,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(1,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Senior notes 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(250,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(950,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Payment of preferred and preference stock dividends (39,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(39,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(39,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Payment of common stock dividends (550,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(644,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(684,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Other financing activities (3,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(5,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(2,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities (164,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(614,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(649,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (22,000,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
158,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(207,000,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 295,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
137,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
344,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 273,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
295,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
137,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 231,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
243,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
273,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Income taxes (net of refunds) 436,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
296,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
309,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Noncash transactions - accrued property additions at year-end 8,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
18,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
31,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Georgia Power [Member]      
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) 1,242,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
1,191,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
1,185,000,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 1,019,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
979,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
912,000,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Deferred income taxes 352,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
476,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
377,000,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (45,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(30,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(53,000,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Retail fuel cost-recovery - long-term (44,000,000)so_RetailFuelCostOverRecoveryLongTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(123,000,000)so_RetailFuelCostOverRecoveryLongTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
123,000,000so_RetailFuelCostOverRecoveryLongTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Pension, postretirement, and other employee benefits 19,000,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
66,000,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
21,000,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions (156,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(8,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(12,000,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitContributions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (10,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(5,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(13,000,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Other, net 39,000,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
38,000,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(12,000,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (248,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(58,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
205,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Fossil fuel stock 303,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
250,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(269,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Prepaid income taxes (216,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(17,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(7,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Other current assets (37,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
40,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(53,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Accounts payable 16,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
67,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(165,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Accrued taxes 17,000,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(14,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(76,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Accrued compensation 62,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(37,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(18,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Retail fuel cost over-recovery—short-term (14,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(49,000,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
107,000,000so_IncreaseDecreaseRetailFuelCostOverRecoveryShortTerm
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
-Other current liabilities 54,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(5,000,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
30,000,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net cash provided from operating activities 2,363,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
2,766,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
2,295,000,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (2,023,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(1,743,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(1,723,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Investment in restricted cash from pollution control bonds 0so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCashFromRevenueBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(89,000,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCashFromRevenueBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(284,000,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCashFromRevenueBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Distribution of restricted cash from pollution control revenue bonds 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCashFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
89,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCashFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
284,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCashFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund purchases (671,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(706,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(852,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToInvestInDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund sales 669,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
705,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
850,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromDecommissioningFund
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Cost of removal, net of salvage (65,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(59,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(82,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Change in construction payables, net of joint owner portion (54,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(67,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(149,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Prepaid Long-Term Service Agreement (70,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(18,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(34,000,000)so_PrepaidLongTermServiceAgreement
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Other investing activities 8,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(2,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
17,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net cash used for investing activities (2,206,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(1,890,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(1,973,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Financing Activities:      
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net (891,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
1,047,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(513,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Proceeds --      
Capital contributions from parent company 549,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
37,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
42,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Pollution control revenue bonds issuances and remarketings 40,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
194,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
284,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Senior note issuances 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
850,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
2,300,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Federal Financing Bank Loan 1,200,000,000so_FederalFinancingBankLoan
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
0so_FederalFinancingBankLoan
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
0so_FederalFinancingBankLoan
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Pollution control revenue bonds (37,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(298,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(284,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Senior notes 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(1,775,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(850,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Other long-term debt 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(250,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Payment of preferred and preference stock dividends (17,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(17,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(17,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Payment of common stock dividends (954,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(907,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(983,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Federal Financing Bank Loan Issuance Costs (49,000,000)so_FederalFinancingBankLoanIssuanceCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(5,000,000)so_FederalFinancingBankLoanIssuanceCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(3,000,000)so_FederalFinancingBankLoanIssuanceCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Other financing activities (4,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(17,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(16,000,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities (163,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(891,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(290,000,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (6,000,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(15,000,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
32,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 30,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
45,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
13,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 24,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
30,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
45,000,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 319,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
344,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
337,000,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Income taxes (net of refunds) 507,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
298,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
312,000,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Noncash transactions - accrued property additions at year-end 154,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
208,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
261,000,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Gulf Power [Member]      
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) 149,179,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
132,133,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
132,135,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 152,670,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
155,798,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
147,723,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Deferred income taxes 65,330,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
77,069,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
174,305,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (12,021,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(6,448,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(5,221,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Pension, postretirement, and other employee benefits (23,305,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
11,422,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(8,109,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Stock based compensation expense 1,928,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,749,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,647,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (1,300,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(1,400,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(1,400,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Other, net (1,233,000)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
5,865,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
4,518,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (17,178,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(49,051,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
8,713,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Fossil fuel stock 33,603,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
19,468,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(6,144,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Materials and supplies (721,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(1,570,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(3,035,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Prepaid income taxes (19,179,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
15,526,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
355,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Other current assets (883,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
682,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
417,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Accounts payable 8,279,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(6,964,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(5,195,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Accrued taxes (1,924,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(4,759,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(4,705,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Accrued compensation 11,237,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(3,309,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
481,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Over recovered regulatory clause revenues 0so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(17,092,000)so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(10,858,000)so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
-Other current liabilities (2,704,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(782,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(7,837,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net cash provided from operating activities 343,078,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
329,737,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
419,190,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (348,305,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(292,914,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(313,257,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Cost of removal, net of salvage (12,932,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(13,827,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(28,993,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Change in construction payables 11,574,000so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
6,796,000so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,161,000so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Payments pursuant to long-term service agreements (8,012,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(7,109,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(8,119,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Other investing activities (19,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
496,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
656,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net cash used for investing activities (357,694,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(306,558,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(348,552,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Financing Activities:      
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net (25,900,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
12,108,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
16,075,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Proceeds --      
Issuance of preference stock 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
50,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Common stock issuances 50,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
40,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
40,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Capital contributions from parent company 4,037,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
2,987,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
2,106,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Pollution control revenue bonds issuances and remarketings 42,075,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
63,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
13,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Senior note issuances 200,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
90,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
100,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Pollution control revenue bonds (29,075,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(76,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(13,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfPollutionControlBond
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Senior notes (75,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(90,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(91,363,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Payment of preferred and preference stock dividends (9,003,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(7,004,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(6,203,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Payment of common stock dividends (123,200,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(115,400,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(115,800,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Other financing activities (2,457,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(3,284,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(614,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities 31,477,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(33,593,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(55,799,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 16,861,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(10,414,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
14,839,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 21,753,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
32,167,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
17,328,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 38,614,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
21,753,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
32,167,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 48,030,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
53,401,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
58,255,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Income taxes (net of refunds) 44,125,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(10,727,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(96,639,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Noncash transactions - accrued property additions at year-end 41,526,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
31,546,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
27,369,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Mississippi Power [Member]      
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) (326,948,000)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(474,892,000)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
101,675,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 104,422,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
92,465,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
86,981,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Deferred income taxes 145,417,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(396,400,000)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
17,688,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Investment tax credits (38,366,000)us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
144,036,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
82,464,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (136,436,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(121,629,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(64,793,000)us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Pension, postretirement, and other employee benefits (28,899,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
13,953,000us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(35,425,000)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Hedge settlements 0so_HedgeSettlements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_HedgeSettlements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(15,983,000)so_HedgeSettlements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Stock based compensation expense 2,903,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
2,510,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
2,084,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Regulatory assets associated with Kemper IGCC (71,816,000)so_RegulatoryAssetsAssociatedWithIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(35,220,000)so_RegulatoryAssetsAssociatedWithIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(15,445,000)so_RegulatoryAssetsAssociatedWithIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Estimated loss on Kemper IGCC 868,000,000so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,102,000,000so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
78,000,000so_EstimatedLossOnIntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleProject
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Kemper regulatory deferral 0so_IntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleRegulatoryDeferral
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
90,524,000so_IntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleRegulatoryDeferral
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_IntegratedCoalGasificationCombinedCycleRegulatoryDeferral
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (1,400,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,200,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,200,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Other, net 14,022,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
14,585,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
10,516,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (19,065,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(25,001,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(6,589,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Under recovered regulatory clause revenues (2,471,000)so_UnderRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_UnderRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_UnderRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Fossil fuel stock 13,121,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
63,093,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(36,206,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Materials and supplies (15,496,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(11,087,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(3,473,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Prepaid income taxes (50,457,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
16,644,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(3,852,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Other current assets (3,940,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(4,363,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(19,851,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Accounts payable 32,661,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
12,693,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
8,814,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Accrued taxes 39,392,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
11,141,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
13,768,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Accrued interest 29,349,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
16,768,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
17,627,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Accrued compensation 17,008,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(6,382,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(183,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Over recovered regulatory clause revenues (17,826,000)so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(58,979,000)so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
16,836,000so_OverRecoveredRegulatoryClause
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Mirror CWIP 180,255,000so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_MirrorConstructionWorkInProgress
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
-Other current liabilities (446,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,109,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
757,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net cash provided from operating activities 734,384,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
447,568,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
235,410,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (1,257,440,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,640,782,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,620,047,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Investment in restricted cash (10,548,000)so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_PaymentsForInvestmentInRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Distribution of restricted cash 10,548,000so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_ProceedsFromDistributionOfRestrictedCash
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Cost of removal, net of salvage (13,418,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(10,386,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(4,355,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromRemovalCosts
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Change in construction payables (49,532,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(50,000,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
78,961,000so_ChangeInConstructionPayables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Capital grant proceeds 0so_ProceedsFromCapitalGrant
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
4,500,000so_ProceedsFromCapitalGrant
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
13,372,000so_ProceedsFromCapitalGrant
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Proceeds from asset sales 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
79,020,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Other investing activities (19,217,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
14,903,000us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(16,706,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net cash used for investing activities (1,339,607,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,602,745,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,548,775,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Proceeds --      
Interest-bearing refundable deposit related to asset sale 125,000,000so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
150,000,000so_InterestBearingRefundableDepositRelatedToAssetSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Capital contributions from parent company 451,387,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,077,088,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
702,971,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Bonds-Other 22,866,000so_ProceedsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
42,342,000so_ProceedsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
51,471,000so_ProceedsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Senior note issuances 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
600,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Other long-term debt issuances 470,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
475,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
50,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Bonds-Other (34,116,000)so_RedemptionsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(82,563,000)so_RedemptionsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_RedemptionsFromBondsOther
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Capital Leases (2,539,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermCapitalLeaseObligations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(697,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermCapitalLeaseObligations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(633,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermCapitalLeaseObligations
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Senior notes 0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(50,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(90,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Other long-term debt (220,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(125,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(115,000,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Return of paid in capital (219,720,000)so_ReturnOfPaidInCapital
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(104,804,000)so_ReturnOfPaidInCapital
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0so_ReturnOfPaidInCapital
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Payment of preferred and preference stock dividends (1,733,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,733,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,733,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Payment of common stock dividends 0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(71,956,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(106,800,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Other financing activities 1,414,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(2,343,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
6,512,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities 592,559,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,155,334,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,246,788,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (12,664,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
157,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(66,577,000)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 145,165,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
145,008,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
211,585,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 132,501,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
145,165,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
145,008,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 6,992,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
20,285,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
32,589,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Income taxes (net of refunds) (379,158,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(134,198,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(77,580,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Noncash transactions - accrued property additions at year-end 114,469,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
164,863,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
214,863,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Noncash transactions - capital lease obligation 0us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
82,915,000us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
0us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Southern Power [Member]      
Operating Activities:      
Net Income (Loss) 175,075,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
165,533,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
175,285,000us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities --      
Depreciation and amortization, total 225,234,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
183,239,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
156,268,000us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Deferred income taxes (168,110,000)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
171,301,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
228,780,000us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Investment tax credits 73,512,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
158,096,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
45,047,000us-gaap_InvestmentTaxCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Amortization of Deferred Investment Tax Credits (11,399,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(5,535,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(2,633,000)so_AmortizationOfDeferredInvestmentTaxCredits
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Deferred revenues (20,860,000)us-gaap_RecognitionOfDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(18,477,000)us-gaap_RecognitionOfDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(12,633,000)us-gaap_RecognitionOfDeferredRevenue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Mark-to-market adjustments (1,894,000)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
850,000us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(9,275,000)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Other, net 11,629,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
3,335,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
3,104,000us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Changes in certain current assets and liabilities --      
-Receivables (25,596,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(11,178,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(1,384,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Fossil fuel stock (2,576,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
2,438,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(8,578,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFossilFuelInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Materials and supplies (3,613,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(8,410,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(7,825,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRawMaterialsPackagingMaterialsAndSuppliesInventories
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Prepaid income taxes 35,284,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(29,609,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(3,223,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Other current assets (1,822,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(2,219,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(1,624,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Accounts payable 30,352,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(11,572,000)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
10,514,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Accrued taxes 284,348,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(299,000)so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
431,000so_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Accrued interest 1,166,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
6,093,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
385,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInterestPayableNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
-Other current liabilities 1,646,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
777,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
492,000us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Net cash provided from operating activities 602,376,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
604,363,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
573,131,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Investing Activities:      
Property additions (20,566,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(500,756,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(116,633,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Cash paid for acquisitions (730,509,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(132,163,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(124,059,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Change in construction payables, net of joint owner portion (279,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(4,072,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(27,387,000)so_ChangeInConstructionPayablesNetOfJointOwnerPortion
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Payments pursuant to long-term service agreements (60,554,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(57,269,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(63,932,000)so_PaymentsPursuantToLongTermServiceAgreements
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Other investing activities (1,756,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(1,725,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(446,000)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Net cash used for investing activities (813,664,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(695,985,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(332,457,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Financing Activities:      
Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net 194,917,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(70,968,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(108,552,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Proceeds --      
Capital contributions from parent company 146,356,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
1,487,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(662,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromContributionsFromParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Senior note issuances 0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
300,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Other long-term debt issuances 10,253,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
23,583,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
5,470,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Redemptions and repurchases --      
Other long-term debt (9,513,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(9,284,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(2,450,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfOtherLongTermDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests (1,089,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(506,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests 7,531,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
17,328,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
3,400,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Payment of common stock dividends (131,120,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(129,120,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(127,000,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Other financing activities (185,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(746,000)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
769,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities 217,150,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
131,774,000us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(229,025,000)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 5,862,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
40,152,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
11,649,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 68,744,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
28,592,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
16,943,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year 74,606,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
68,744,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
28,592,000us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized 85,168,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
60,396,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
50,248,000us-gaap_InterestPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Income taxes (net of refunds) (219,641,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(226,179,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
(175,269,000)us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Noncash transactions - accrued property additions at year-end 852,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
5,567,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
11,203,000us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
Acquisitions 228,964,000us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_SouthernPowerMember
0us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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0us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests $ 220,734,000so_NoncontrollingInterestIncreasefromContributionsfromNoncontrollingInterestHolders
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$ 0so_NoncontrollingInterestIncreasefromContributionsfromNoncontrollingInterestHolders
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$ 0so_NoncontrollingInterestIncreasefromContributionsfromNoncontrollingInterestHolders
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