Retirement and Postemployment Benefits (Weighted-Average Assumptions, Cost Trend Rates and Funded Status) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																									12 Months Ended																							12 Months Ended														12 Months Ended						2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				10 Months Ended		2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				10 Months Ended				2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				10 Months Ended				2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		10 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member] Integer	Dec. 31, 2011 Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] Integer	Dec. 31, 2012 Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pension Benefits - UK [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Benefits - UK [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Pension Benefits - UK [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Pension Benefits - UK [Member] PPL WEM [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pension Benefits - UK [Member] PPL WW [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Benefits - UK [Member] PPL WW [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Other Postretirement Medical Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Other Postretirement Medical Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member] Integer	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Significant Specific Multiemployer Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member] Integer	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Other Postretirement Medical Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - UK [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - UK [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - UK [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Other Postretirement Medical Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 PPL Energy Supply LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Multiemployer Other Postretirement Medical Plans [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 PPL Electric Utilities Corp [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] PPL Services Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Oct. 31, 2010 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Predecessor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Oct. 31, 2010 LG And E And KU Energy LLC [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Predecessor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]		Oct. 31, 2010 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] Predecessor [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Successor [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Louisville Gas And Electric Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] Pension Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Kentucky Utilities Co [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits - US [Member] LKE Funded Status Allocation [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in the Valuation of the Benefit Obligations (Details) [Abstract]
Benefit obligations valuation discount rate								4.22%		5.06%							4.27%		5.24%							4.00%		4.80%													4.25%		5.12%															3.77%	4.60%												4.24%		5.08%						3.99%		4.78%								4.20%		5.00%
Benefit obligations valuation rate of compensation increase								3.98%		4.02%							4.00%		4.00%							3.97%		4.00%													3.95%		4.00%															3.95%	4.00%												4.00%		4.00%						4.00%		4.00%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine the Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details) [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit costs discount rate								5.06%		5.42%		5.96%					5.24%		5.59%		5.59%					4.80%		5.14%		5.47%											5.12%		5.47%		6.00%											5.59%		4.60%	4.95%	5.55%									5.40%		5.09%		5.49%		6.11%		4.94%		4.78%		5.12%		5.82%				5.28%		5.00%		5.39%		6.08%
Net periodic benefit costs rate of compensation increase								4.02%		4.88%		4.79%					4.00%		3.75%		4.00%					4.00%		4.90%		4.78%											4.00%		4.75%		4.75%											4.00%		4.00%	4.75%	4.75%									5.25%		4.00%		5.25%		5.25%		5.25%		4.00%		5.25%		5.25%
Net periodic benefit costs expected return on plan assets								7.07%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	7.96%	[1]				7.17%	[1]	7.04%	[1]	7.91%	[1]				5.99%	[1]	6.57%	[1]	6.90%	[1]										7.00%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	8.00%	[1]										7.91%	[1]												7.25%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	7.75%	[1]	7.04%	[1]	7.02%	[1]	7.16%	[1]	7.20%	[1]			7.25%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	7.25%	[1]	7.75%	[1]
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates (Details) [Abstract]
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year, obligations																										8.00%		8.50%		9.00%																												8.00%	8.50%	9.00%																	9.00%		8.00%		8.50%		7.80%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year, cost																										8.50%		9.00%		8.00%																												8.50%	9.00%	8.00%																	9.00%		8.50%		9.00%		8.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline, obligations																										5.50%		5.50%		5.50%																												5.50%	5.50%	5.50%																	5.50%		5.50%		5.50%		4.50%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline,cost																										5.50%		5.50%		5.50%																												5.50%	5.50%	5.50%																	5.50%		5.50%		5.50%		4.50%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate, obligations																										2019		2019		2019																												2019	2019	2019																	2019		2019		2019		2029
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate, cost																										2019		2019		2016																												2019	2019	2016																	2019		2019		2019		2029
Effect of One Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Costs Trend Rate (Details) [Abstract]
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of a one percentage point increase																										$ 7																																																					$ 5
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of a one percentage point decrease																										(6)																																																					(4)
Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit Obligation, beginning of period								4,381.0		4,007.0							6,638.0		2,841.0				4,300.0	3.6	3.0	687.0		667.0													143.0		121.0											2,841.0				17.0	18.0												1,306.0		1,229.0						214.0		204.0								298.0		274.0
Service cost								103		95		64					54		44		17					12		12		8											6		5		4											17	[2]	1	1	1									4		22		24		17		1		4		4		3								2		1
Interest cost								220		217		159					340		282		151					31		33		28											7		7		7											151	[2]	1	1	1									11				67		54		1		9		10		9				2		14		14		12
Participant contributions																	15		11									5
Plan amendments										8																(1)		10																														(1)															9								10										9
Actuarial (gain) loss								546		220							1,081		257							31		6													23		13																(2)												144		25						(8)		(3)								32		14
Distribution to parent																																																						(2,841)	[3]
Acquisitions																			3,501	[4]
Settlements								(25)
Termination benefits																	2		50
Net transfer in (out)																	12
Actual expenses paid								(3)																																																			(1)
Gross benefits paid								(176)		(166)							(397)		(309)							(46)		(47)													(3)		(3)															(1)													(48)		(48)						(11)		(12)								(14)		(15)
Federal subsidy																										2		1																																																			1		1
Currency conversion																	143		(39)
Benefit Obligation, end of period								5,046.0		4,381.0		4,007.0					7,888.0		6,638.0		2,841.0		4,300.0	3.6	3.0	722.0		687.0		667.0											176.0		143.0		121.0											2,841.0		17.0	17.0	18.0									1,229.0		1,487.0		1,306.0				204.0		209.0		214.0						274.0		331.0		298.0
Change in Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period								3,471.0		2,819.0							6,351.0		2,524.0				4,100.0	2.8	2.6	391.0		360.0													132.0		106.0											2,524.0																	944.0		778.0						58.0		49.0								256.0		217.0
Actual return on plan assets								432		349							476		444							42		38													16		14																												117		62						8		3								32		16
Employer contributions								239		470							341		164							27		33													4		15																												57		152						13		18								13		38
Distribution to parent																																																						(2,524)	[3]
Participant contributions																	15		11									5
Acquisitions																			3,567	[4]
Settlements								(25)
Actual expenses paid								(2)		(1)
Gross benefits paid								(176)		(166)							(397)		(309)							(44)		(45)													(3)		(3)																												(48)		(48)						(11)		(12)								(14)		(15)
Currency conversion																	125		(50)
Balance at end of period								3,939.0		3,471.0		2,819.0					6,911.0		6,351.0		2,524.0		4,100.0	2.8	2.6	421.0		391.0		360.0											149.0		132.0		106.0											2,524.0													778.0		1,070.0		944.0				49.0		68.0		58.0						217.0		287.0		256.0
Funded Status, end of period								(1,107)		(910)							(977)		(287)							(301)		(296)													(27)		(11)				268	204										(17)	(17)		60	51			237	186	61	53			(417)		(362)						(141)		(156)				58	53			(44)		(42)				81	87					104	83	53	62
Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheets consist of: [Abstract]
Noncurrent asset																			130
Current liability								(8)		(29)																(1)		(1)																														(1)	(1)												(3)		(3)
Noncurrent liability								(1,099)		(881)							(977)		(417)							(300)		(295)													(27)		(11)															(16)	(16)												(414)		(359)						(141)		(156)								(44)		(42)
Net amount recognized, end of period								(1,107)		(910)							(977)		(287)							(301)		(296)													(27)		(11)															(17)	(17)												(417)		(362)						(141)		(156)								(44)		(42)
Amounts recognized in AOCI and regulatory asets/liabilities (pre-tax): [Abstract]
Transition (asset) obligation																												2																																																					2
Prior service cost (credit)								91		115							1		3							(7)		(5)															1															(1)													28		34						11		14								17		20
Net actuarial loss								1,241		922							2,184		1,191							106		97													52		38															2	2												355		280						(17)		(7)								123		115
Total								1,332	[5]	1,037	[5]						2,185	[5]	1,194	[5]						99	[5]	94	[5]												52		39															1	2												383		314						(6)		9								140		135
Total accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit pension plans								4,569.0		3,949.0							7,259.0		6,144.0					3.3	2.8																176.0		143.0																												1,319.0		1,141.0																328.0		292.0
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in AOCI and Regulatory Assets/Liabilities by Type (Details) [Abstract]
AOCI								659		481																59		56																																											27		(7)								1
Regulatory assets/liabilities								673		556																40		38																																											356		321						(6)		8
Total								1,332	[5]	1,037	[5]						2,185	[5]	1,194	[5]						99	[5]	94	[5]												52		39															1	2												383		314						(6)		9								140		135
Multiemployer Plans (Numeric) [Abstract]
Multiemployer Plan, number of plans							70																																	70
Employer Identification Number				232004424																																	232004424
Plan number of pension plan				001																																	001
Contributions to specific plan	59	67	49	5	5	4								31	36	26										28						31	23				5	5	4
Threshold, as a percentage, of contributions by individual contributors to a specific plan that if exceeded require disclosure				5.00%																																	5.00%
Number of subsidiaries whose contributions, on a combined basis, exceeded 5% of a specific plan's contributions				3																																	3
Threshold, as a percentage, of contributions to a specific plan that if exceeded require disclosure				5.00%																																	5.00%
Expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement				Apr. 30, 2014																																	Apr. 30, 2014
Multiemployer Plan, period contributions																																		59	67	49													31	36	26	28											31	23
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 [Abstract]
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992, net recorded liability	3																																	3
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992, estimated amount future benefit payments	67																																	67
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992, assets in VEBA trust	35																																	35
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992, assets in Black Lung Trust	$ 29																																	$ 29

[1] The expected long-term rates of return for PPL's, PPL Energy Supply's, LKE's and LG&E's U.S. pension and other postretirement benefits have been developed using a best-estimate of expected returns, volatilities and correlations for each asset class. The best estimates are based on historical performance, future expectations and periodic portfolio rebalancing among the diversified asset classes. PPL management corroborates these rates with expected long-term rates of return calculated by its independent actuary, who uses a building block approach that begins with a risk-free rate of return with factors being added such as inflation, duration, credit spreads and equity risk. Each plan's specific asset allocation is also considered in developing a reasonable return assumption.         The expected long-term rates of return for PPL's U.K. pension plans have been developed by PPL management with assistance from an independent actuary using a best estimate of expected returns, volatilities and correlations for each asset class. The best estimates are based on historical performance, future expectations and periodic portfolio rebalancing among the diversified asset classes.

[2] In January 2011, PPL Energy Supply distributed its membership interest in PPL Global to PPL Energy Supply's parent. See Note 9 for additional information.

[3] As a result of PPL Energy Supply's January 2011 distribution of its membership interest in PPL Global to its parent, PPL Energy Funding, the funded status and AOCI were removed from the balance sheet in January 2011. See Note 9 for additional information.

[4] Includes the pension plans of WPD Midlands, which was acquired in 2011. See Note 10 for additional information.

[5] WPD is not subject to accounting for the effects of certain types of regulation as prescribed by GAAP. As a result, WPD does not record regulatory assets/liabilities.