2.2.0.7 false Introduction (Policies) 0401 - Disclosure - Introduction (Policies) true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Introduction (Policies) [Abstract] 0 so_IntroductionPoliciesAbstract so false na duration Introduction Policies Abstract. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string Introduction Policies Abstract. false 3 Variable Interest Entities 1 us-gaap_ConsolidationPolicyTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0   <div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif"> <div style="margin-top: 0pt"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; text-align: left"> <tr> <td style="font-size: 6pt"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="2%" style="background: transparent"> </td> <td width="2%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"><b> </b></td> <td width="1%"><b> </b></td> <td><b>Variable Interest Entities</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 6pt"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="2%" style="background: transparent"> </td> <td width="2%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td>Effective January 1, 2010, the traditional operating companies and Southern Power adopted new accounting guidance which modified the consolidation model and expanded disclosures related to variable interest entities (VIE). The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE when it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not result in the traditional operating companies or Southern Power consolidating any VIEs that were not already consolidated under previous guidance, nor deconsolidating any VIEs.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="font-size: 6pt"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent"> <td width="2%" style="background: transparent"> </td> <td width="2%" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"> </td> <td width="1%"> </td> <td>Southern Power has certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that are determined to be VIEs. Southern Power is considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because it controls the most significant activities of the VIEs, including operating and maintaining the respective assets, and has the obligation to absorb expected losses of these VIEs to the extent of its equity interests.</td> </tr> </table> </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Describes an entity's accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. An entity also may describe its accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary. 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