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SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION - Narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2018
utility
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
state
pipeline
segment
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues   $ 21,419 $ 23,495 $ 23,031
Traditional Operating Companies        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Number of states in which entity operates (states) | state   3    
Southern Power        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues   $ 1,938 2,205 2,075
Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues   $ 3,792 3,909 3,920
Number of states in which entity operates (states) | state   4    
Number of natural gas distribution utilities sold | utility 3      
Number of reportable segments | segment   4    
Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC | Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Ownership percentage, equity method investment   50.00%    
Dalton Pipeline | Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Ownership percentage, equity method investment   50.00%    
Southern Power | Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Natural gas revenues   $ 64 119 119
Traditional Electric Operating Companies | Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Natural gas revenues   14 32 23
Wholesale revenues, affiliates | Southern Power        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues   $ 398 $ 435 $ 392
Pipelines | Southern Company Gas        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Number of pipeline construction projects | pipeline   2