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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 48 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
Jan. 11, 2018
Dec. 31, 2016
Aug. 29, 2016
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (1,894) $ (1,894)   $ 5,866  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Accumulated deferred income taxes     6,842 6,842   14,092  
Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (2,684) (2,684)   (2,774)  
Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (7,261) (7,261)   (219)  
Over recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (155) (155)   (203)  
Property damage reserves-liability              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (135) (135)   (177)  
Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (266) (266)   (120)  
Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     3,931 3,931   3,959  
AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     1,133 1,133   1,080  
Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     511 511   487  
Loss on reacquired debt              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     223 223   243  
Environmental remediation-asset              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     511 511   491  
Under recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     317 317   273  
Property damage reserves-asset              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     333 333   206  
Regulatory assets associated with the Kemper County energy facility              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     88 88   201  
Vacation pay              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 183 183   182  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     1 year        
Long-term debt fair value adjustment              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 138 138   155  
Deferred PPA charges              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     119 119   141  
Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     306 306   351  
Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 814 814   1,590  
Maximum              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Life of new issue     50 years        
Power purchase agreement period     6 years        
Maximum | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory liability, amortization period     20 years        
Maximum | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     15 years        
Maximum | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     50 years        
Maximum | Asset Group 1              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     10 years        
Maximum | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     48 years        
Maximum | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     80 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Fuel hedging assets and liabilities, amortization period     3 years 6 months        
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (1,088) (1,088)   1,047  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Medicare drug subsidy obligation related to subsidiary     13 13   16  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (609) (609)   (684)  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (2,082) (2,082)   (65)  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Over recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     53 53   76  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (7) (7)   (23)  
ALABAMA POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net           12  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Natural disaster reserve              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (38) (38)   (69)  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     946 946   947  
ALABAMA POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (33) (33)      
ALABAMA POWER CO | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     51 51   50  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Loss on reacquired debt              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     62 62   68  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Under recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     142 142   0  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Vacation pay              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     70 70   69  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Nuclear outage              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     56 56   70  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Fuel-hedging-asset              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     7 7   1  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 54 54   69  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     11 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 240 240   526  
ALABAMA POWER CO | Maximum              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Life of new issue     50 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO | Maximum | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     15 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred income tax charges              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     15 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO | Maximum | Nuclear outage              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     10 years        
ALABAMA POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     50 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 232 232   3,506  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Refueling cycles maximum period     24 months        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 40 40   3  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (3,248) (3,248)   (121)  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (191) (191)   (39)  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 1,313 1,313   1,348  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     14 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Deferred income tax charges              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 21 21      
GEORGIA POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     945 945   893  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 119 119   97  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     24 months        
Amortization of regulatory assets     $ 54        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Loss on reacquired debt              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     127 127   137  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Vacation pay              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 91 91   91  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     1 year        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Canceled Construction Projects              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 36 36   44  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     9 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 146 146   166  
GEORGIA POWER CO | Obsolete Inventories of Retired Units              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     31 31      
GEORGIA POWER CO | Storm damage reserves              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     333 333   206  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Amortization of regulatory assets       319      
GEORGIA POWER CO | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     521 521   681  
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Deferred Tax Assets Related to CWIP     145 145      
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Deferred Tax Liabilities     626 626      
GEORGIA POWER CO | Plant Mitchell Unit 3              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Net book value of planned units retirements     $ 10 10      
GEORGIA POWER CO | Maximum              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Life of new issue     35 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred Income Tax Charge, AROs, Cost Of Removal Obligations, Deferred Income Tax Credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     65 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Maximum | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     10 years        
GEORGIA POWER CO | Scenario, Forecast | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Amortization of regulatory assets   $ 4          
GULF POWER CO              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (105) (105)   320  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory asset             $ 63
Life of new issue     40 years        
GULF POWER CO | Over Under Recovered Regulatory Clause Revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     1 year        
GULF POWER CO | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (458) (458)   (2)  
GULF POWER CO | Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (221) (221)   (278)  
GULF POWER CO | Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Accumulated deferred income taxes     71 71      
GULF POWER CO | Over recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (11) (11)   (23)  
GULF POWER CO | Property damage reserves-liability              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (40) (40)   (40)  
GULF POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net           7  
GULF POWER CO | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     166 166   160  
GULF POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     13 13      
GULF POWER CO | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     36 36   18  
GULF POWER CO | Loss on reacquired debt              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     17 17   18  
GULF POWER CO | Environmental remediation-asset              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     52 52   44  
GULF POWER CO | Deferred Return On Transmission Upgrades              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 25 25   25  
GULF POWER CO | Vacation pay              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     1 year        
GULF POWER CO | Deferred PPA charges              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 119 119   141  
GULF POWER CO | Ash Pond Closure              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 80 80   75  
GULF POWER CO | Fuel Hedging Assets and Liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     4 years        
GULF POWER CO | Fuel-hedging-asset              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 21 21   24  
GULF POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     65 65   66  
GULF POWER CO | Regulatory asset, offset to other cost of removal              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     0 0   29  
GULF POWER CO | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 31 31   56  
GULF POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     65 years        
GULF POWER CO | Maximum | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     14 years        
GULF POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred PPA charges              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     6 years        
GULF POWER CO | Maximum | Deferred Income Tax Charge, AROs, Cost Of Removal Obligations, Deferred Income Tax Credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     65 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (42) (42)   737  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period 5 years            
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Deferred Credits Related To Income Taxes [Member]              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (377) (377)   (9)  
Deferred tax assets from tax reform     375 375      
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Protected Deferred Tax Assets     273 273      
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Unprotected Deferred Tax Assets     102 102      
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (178) (178)   (170)  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Property damage reserves-liability              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (57) (57)   (68)  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     0 0   (1)  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Kemper IGCC              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     88 88   194  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory asset     114 114      
Regulatory assets, noncurrent     $ 26 26      
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     15 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | AROs              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 95 95   83  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 28 28   28  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     50 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     48 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Remaining net book value of retired assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 44 44   53  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Property Tax              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 43 43   37  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     12 months        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Deferred Income Tax Charge              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 36 36   362  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Retiree Benefit Plans - Regulatory Assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     174 174   173  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | ECO Carryforward [Member]              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     26 26   22  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Kemper IGCC              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory asset     114 114      
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Kemper IGCC | Deferred Credits Related To Income Taxes [Member]              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Deferred tax assets from tax reform     $ 129 129      
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     8 years        
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Unprotected Deferred Tax Assets     $ 54 54      
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Plant Daniel Units 3 and 4              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     10 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Plant Daniel Units 3 and 4 | Plant Daniel Units 3 and 4              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 36 36   33  
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Amortization Period One | Fuel Hedging Assets and Liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     8 years        
MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Amortization Period Two | Fuel Hedging Assets and Liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     6 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ (1,879) (1,879)   (715)  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Environmental Remediation              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     410 410   411  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Other cost of removal obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (1,646) (1,646)   (1,616)  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Deferred income tax credits              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (1,063) (1,063)   (22)  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Over recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (144) (144)   (104)  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     (21) (21)   (39)  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 79 79   58  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     12 months        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Under recovered regulatory clause revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 98 98   118  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Vacation pay              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     1 year        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Long-term debt fair value adjustment              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 270 270   325  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Environmental Remediation              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]              
Total assets (liabilities), net     $ 138 138   $ 154  
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Over Under Recovered Regulatory Clause Revenues              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     8 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Retiree Benefit Plans              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     15 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Other regulatory assets              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     10 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Long-term debt fair value adjustment              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     21 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Financial Instrument Hedging              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     2 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     20 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Maximum | Deferred Income Tax Charges and Other Cost of Removal Obligations              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     80 years        
SOUTHERN Co GAS | Minimum | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Regulatory amortization period     4 years        
Subsequent Event | GEORGIA POWER CO | Other regulatory liabilities              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Customer Refund Liability, Noncurrent         $ 188    
Retail [Member] | MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Kemper IGCC | Deferred Credits Related To Income Taxes [Member]              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Unprotected Deferred Tax Assets     $ 38 38      
Wholesale [Member] | MISSISSIPPI POWER CO | Kemper IGCC | Deferred Credits Related To Income Taxes [Member]              
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Other Information [Abstract]              
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Unprotected Deferred Tax Assets     $ 16 $ 16