XML 1078 R61.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Retirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost $ 21,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 24,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
$ 21,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Interest cost 79,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
74,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
85,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Expected return on plan assets (59,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(56,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(60,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net amortization 6,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
21,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
20,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net periodic benefit cost 47,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
63,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
66,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 118,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 124,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 129,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 132,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 134,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 670,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts      
Subsidy Receipts, 2015 (10,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2016 (11,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2017 (12,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2018 (13,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2019 (15,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 (79,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, Total      
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2015 108,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearOne
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2016 113,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2017 117,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2018 119,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2019 119,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 591,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInFiveFiscalYearsThereAfter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Pension Plans [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 213,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
232,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
198,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Interest cost 435,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
389,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
393,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Expected return on plan assets (645,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(603,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
(581,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Recognized net (gain) loss 110,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
200,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
95,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net amortization 26,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
27,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
30,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Net periodic benefit cost 139,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
245,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
135,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 522,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 450,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 478,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 499,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 524,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 2,962,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
   
Alabama Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 5,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
6,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
5,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Interest cost 20,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
19,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
22,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (25,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(23,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(23,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net amortization 4,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
5,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
6,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 4,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
10,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 31,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 32,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 32,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 34,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 34,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 172,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts      
Subsidy Receipts, 2015 (3,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2016 (3,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2017 (4,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2018 (4,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2019 (4,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 (22,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, Total      
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2015 28,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearOne
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2016 29,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2017 28,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2018 30,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2019 30,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 150,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInFiveFiscalYearsThereAfter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Alabama Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 48,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
52,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
44,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Interest cost 103,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
93,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
94,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (168,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(157,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
(162,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Recognized net (gain) loss 31,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
52,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
23,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net amortization 7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 21,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
47,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
6,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 127,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 114,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 120,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 125,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 129,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 708,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_AlabamaPowerMember
   
Georgia Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 6,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
7,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Interest cost 34,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
31,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
37,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (25,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(24,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(29,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net amortization 2,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
12,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
10,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 17,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
26,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
25,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 53,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 56,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 57,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 59,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 59,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 289,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts      
Subsidy Receipts, 2015 (4,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2016 (5,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2017 (5,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2018 (6,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2019 (6,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 (32,000)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, Total      
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2015 49,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearOne
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2016 51,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2017 52,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2018 53,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2019 53,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 257,000so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInFiveFiscalYearsThereAfter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Georgia Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 62,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
69,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
60,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Interest cost 153,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
138,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
141,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (228,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(212,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
(221,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Recognized net (gain) loss 41,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
74,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
33,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net amortization 10,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
10,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
12,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 38,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
79,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
25,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 199,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 169,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 177,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 183,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 190,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 1,042,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GeorgiaPowerMember
   
Gulf Power [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 10,181us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
11,128us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
9,101us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Interest cost 19,433us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
17,321us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
17,199us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (28,468)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(26,435)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(25,932)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Recognized net (gain) loss 4,559us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
8,385us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
3,913us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net amortization 1,115us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,164us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,262us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 6,820us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
11,563us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
5,543us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Gulf Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 1,163us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,355us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
1,167us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Interest cost 3,235us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
2,982us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
3,367us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (1,306)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(1,238)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
(1,311)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net amortization 162us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
186us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
379us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 3,254us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
3,285us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
3,602us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 4,694us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 4,982us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 5,136us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 5,300us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 5,326us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 27,399us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts      
Subsidy Receipts, 2015 (431)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2016 (480)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2017 (535)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2018 (594)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2019 (660)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 (3,430)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, Total      
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2015 4,263so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearOne
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2016 4,502so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2017 4,601so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2018 4,706so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2019 4,666so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 23,969so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInFiveFiscalYearsThereAfter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Gulf Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 10,181us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
11,128us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
 
Interest cost 19,433us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
17,321us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
 
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 22,002us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 18,683us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 19,950us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 21,019us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 22,229us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 129,877us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_GulfPowerMember
   
Mississippi Power [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 10,123us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
11,067us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
9,416us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Interest cost 20,093us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
18,062us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
18,019us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (28,742)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(26,849)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(24,121)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Recognized net (gain) loss 4,937us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
9,461us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
4,100us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlementsAndCurtailments1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net amortization 1,088us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,143us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,309us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 7,499us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
12,884us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
8,723us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Mississippi Power [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 1,025us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,151us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
1,038us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Interest cost 3,812us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
3,619us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
4,155us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Expected return on plan assets (1,585)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,472)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
(1,552)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net amortization (188)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
471us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
470us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Net periodic benefit cost 3,064us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
3,769us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
4,111us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 5,387us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 5,632us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 5,911us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 6,185us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2019 6,475us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 34,139us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts      
Subsidy Receipts, 2015 (512)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2016 (566)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearTwo1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2017 (622)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearThree1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2018 (680)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFour1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2019 (735)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsYearFive1
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 (3,744)us-gaap_PrescriptionDrugSubsidyReceiptsAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, Total      
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2015 4,875so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearOne
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2016 5,066so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2017 5,289so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2018 5,505so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2019 5,740so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
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= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments and Subsidy Receipts, 2020 to 2024 30,395so_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsAndSubsidyReceiptsInFiveFiscalYearsThereAfter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
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Mississippi Power [Member] | Pension Plans [Member]      
Components of net periodic      
Service cost 10,123us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
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11,067us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
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/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
 
Interest cost 20,093us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
18,062us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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Benefit Payments      
Benefit Payments, 2015 23,304us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsNextTwelveMonths
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2016 19,551us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2017 20,816us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearThree
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2018 21,905us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFour
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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Benefit Payments, 2019 23,337us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsYearFive
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= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember
   
Benefit Payments, 2020 to 2024 $ 135,320us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPaymentsFiveFiscalYearsThereafter
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= so_MississippiPowerMember