Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 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, 2022		1,090
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022			(1)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 34,532	$ 5,417	$ (53)	$ 13,673	$ 11,538	$ (167)	$ 4,124
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	799				862		(63)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(44)					(44)
Stock issued (in shares)		2
Stock issued	15	$ 4		11
Stock-based compensation	29			29
Cash dividends	(742)				(742)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	21						21
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(48)						(48)
Other	0		$ (2)	2
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023		1,092
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023			(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2023	34,562	$ 5,421	$ (55)	13,715	11,658	(211)	4,034
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	823				838		(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	43					43
Stock issued	7	$ 1		6
Stock-based compensation	19			19
Cash dividends	(764)				(764)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(42)						(42)
Other	0		$ (1)	2			(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023		1,092
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023			(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	34,648	$ 5,422	$ (56)	13,742	11,732	(168)	3,976
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,432				1,422		10
Other comprehensive income (loss)	38					38
Stock issued (in shares)		0
Stock issued	4	$ 0		4
Stock-based compensation	7			7
Cash dividends	(765)				(765)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(59)						(59)
Other	(1)		$ (1)	(2)	2	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023		1,092
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023			(1)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	35,304	$ 5,422	$ (57)	13,751	12,391	(130)	3,927
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023		1,092
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023			(1)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2023	35,225	$ 5,423	$ (59)	13,775	12,482	(177)	3,781
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,071				1,129		(58)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	37					37
Stock issued (in shares)		3
Stock issued	61	$ 8		53
Stock-based compensation	8			8
Cash dividends	(766)				(766)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	9						9
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(38)						(38)
Other	7		$ (2)	10	(1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024		1,095
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024			(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2024	35,614	$ 5,431	$ (61)	13,846	12,844	(140)	3,694
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,188				1,203		(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10					10
Stock issued (in shares)		1
Stock issued	90	$ 5		85
Stock-based compensation	13			13
Cash dividends	(788)				(788)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	2						2
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(19)						(19)
Other (in shares)		0	0
Other	1	$ 0	$ (2)	3	0	0	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024		1,096
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024			(1)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2024	36,111	$ 5,436	$ (63)	13,947	13,259	(130)	3,662
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income (loss)	1,535				1,535		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9)					(9)
Stock issued (in shares)		1
Stock issued	84	$ 5		79
Stock-based compensation	24			24
Cash dividends	(789)				(789)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(55)						(55)
Other (in shares)		0	0
Other	4	$ 0	$ 6	(2)	0	0	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2024		1,097
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2024			(1)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2024	$ 36,905	$ 5,441	$ (57)	$ 14,048	$ 14,005	$ (139)	$ 3,607