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Segment and Related Information - Textuals (Details)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
state
segment
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
state
segment
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Number of traditional operating companies | segment 4                 4    
Revenues $ 5,629 $ 6,201 $ 5,430 $ 5,771 $ 5,181 $ 6,264 $ 4,459 $ 3,992   $ 23,031 $ 19,896 $ 17,489
Natural gas revenues                   $ 3,791 1,596 0
Traditional Operating Companies                        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Number of states in which entity operates | state 4                 4    
SOUTHERN Co GAS                        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Number of reportable segments | segment                   4    
Number of states in which entity operates | state 7                 7    
Revenues $ 1,079 $ 565 $ 716 $ 1,560 $ 1,109 $ 543     $ 1,652 $ 3,920    
Natural gas revenues                 $ 1,596 3,791    
Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC | SOUTHERN Co GAS                        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Ownership percentage, equity method investment           50.00%            
SOUTHERN POWER CO                        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Revenues                   392 419 $ 417
Natural gas revenues                   119 17  
SOUTHERN Co GAS                        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                        
Natural gas revenues                   $ 23 $ 11