Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - SPC (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Changes in fair value, tax	$ (1)	$ 9	$ (1)	$ (14)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income, tax	5	6	17	13
Benefit plan net gain (loss), tax	0	0	1	0
SOUTHERN POWER CO
Changes in fair value, tax	(1)	2	(5)	(1)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts included in net income, tax	2	2	6	2
Benefit plan net gain (loss), tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Amount of tax expense (benefit) for (increase) decrease in value of benefit obligation for change in actuarial assumptions and increase (decrease) in value of plan assets from experience different from that assumed of defined benefit plan, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 220
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before reclassification, of tax expense (benefit) for gain (loss) from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) for reclassification of gain (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for derivative instrument designated and qualifying as cash flow hedge included in assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=so_SouthernPowerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: