STOCK COMPENSATION - Schedule of Employees Participating in Stock-Based Compensation Programs (Details)	Dec. 31, 2022 employee
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	1,586
Alabama Power
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	221
Georgia Power
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	236
Mississippi Power
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	64
Southern Power
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	45
Southern Company Gas
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of employees	186