Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - Southern - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Treasury	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		1,058
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			(1)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 32,234	$ 5,268	$ (46)	$ 11,834	$ 11,311	$ (395)	$ 4,262
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,103				1,135		(32)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	28					28
Stock issued (in shares)		2
Stock issued	14	$ 5		9
Stock-based compensation	9			9
Cash dividends on common stock	(678)				(678)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	403						403
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(46)						(46)
Other	1			2			(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021		1,060
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	33,068	$ 5,273	$ (46)	11,854	11,768	(367)	4,586
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	372				372		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12					12
Stock issued	10	$ 1		9
Stock-based compensation	22			22
Cash dividends on common stock	(699)				(699)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	29						29
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(68)						(68)
Other	0		$ (2)	1	1
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021		1,060
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021			(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	32,746	$ 5,274	$ (48)	11,886	11,442	(355)	4,547
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021		1,061
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021			(1)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	32,276	$ 5,279	$ (47)	11,950	10,929	(237)	4,402
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	987				1,032		(45)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	42					42
Stock issued (in shares)		3
Stock issued	38	$ 7		31
Stock-based compensation	6			6
Cash dividends on common stock	(702)				(702)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	73						73
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(98)						(98)
Other	7		$ (2)	7	2
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022		1,064
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022			(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022	32,629	$ 5,286	$ (49)	11,994	11,261	(195)	4,332
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,085				1,107		(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	11					11
Stock issued	23	$ 2		21
Stock-based compensation	14			14
Cash dividends on common stock	(723)				(723)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(28)						(28)
Other	2		$ (2)	4
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2022		1,064
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2022			(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 33,013	$ 5,288	$ (51)	$ 12,033	$ 11,645	$ (184)	$ 4,282