Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Southern - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Treasury	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		1,054	1
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 31,759	$ 5,257	$ (42)	$ 11,734	$ 10,877	$ (321)	$ 4,254
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	3,088				3,119		(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(75)					(75)
Stock issued (in shares)		4
Stock issued	74	$ 11		63
Stock-based compensation	44			44
Cash dividends on common stock	(2,685)				(2,685)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	307						307
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(271)						(271)
Purchase of membership interests from noncontrolling interests				5
Purchase of membership interests from noncontrolling interests	(60)						(65)
Sale of noncontrolling interests	65			(2)			67
Other	(12)		$ (4)	(10)		(1)	1
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		1,058	1
Ending 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)	2,294				2,393		(99)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	158					158
Stock issued (in shares)		3
Stock issued	73	$ 11		62
Stock-based compensation	62			62
Cash dividends on common stock	(2,777)				(2,777)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	590						590
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(351)						(351)
Other	(7)		$ (1)	(8)	2
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021		1,061	1
Ending 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)	3,417				3,524		(107)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	71					71
Stock issued (in shares)		29
Stock issued	1,808	$ 138		1,670
Stock-based compensation	44			44
Cash dividends on common stock	(2,907)				(2,907)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	88						88
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(259)						(259)
Other	(6)		$ (6)	9	(8)	(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022		1,090	1
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 34,532	$ 5,417	$ (53)	$ 13,673	$ 11,538	$ (167)	$ 4,124