Financing Activities (Distributions and Capital Contributions) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Distributions (Numeric) [Abstract]
Quarterly common stock dividend declaration date	2012-02
Dividend payable date of quarterly common stock dividend	Apr. 02, 2012
Current quarterly common stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.360	$ 0.350
Annualized current quarterly common stock dividend	$ 1.44
Increase in retained earnings balance available for dividends for LG&E		$ 809
Increase in retained earnings balance available for dividends for KU		$ 1.4

The amount of increase to the balance available for dividends for a subsidiary of the parent.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of increase to the balance available for dividends for a subsidiary two of the parent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The per annum equivalent of the increased quarterly stock dividend the last time the dividend was changed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

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- Definition

The day, month, and year (YYYY-MM-DD) that the dividend declared as of or prior to the financial reporting date will be paid in the subsequent period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

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- Definition

The month and year (YYYY-MM) that the dividend to be paid was declared.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 32

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

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