Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes NEE's effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately 67% and 25%, respectively. The increase in the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is primarily due to the establishment of a full valuation allowance of approximately $132 million on the deferred tax assets associated with the Spain solar projects. This valuation allowance primarily related to deferred tax assets created as a result of the $300 million impairment and other related charges ($342 million after-tax) recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013. In addition, the rates for both periods reflect the effect of production tax credits (PTCs) of approximately $59 million and $61 million for wind projects at NEER and deferred income tax benefits associated with grants (convertible investment tax credits (ITCs)) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended (Recovery Act), of $13 million and $12 million primarily for certain wind and solar projects expected to be placed in service. NEE recognizes PTCs as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kilowatt-hour (kwh) rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, which may differ significantly from amounts computed, on a quarterly basis, using an overall effective income tax rate anticipated for the full year. NEE uses this method of recognizing PTCs for specific reasons, including that PTCs are an integral part of the financial viability of most wind projects and a fundamental component of such wind projects' results of operations. PTCs, as well as deferred income tax benefits associated with convertible ITCs, can significantly affect NEE's effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income. The amount of PTCs recognized can be significantly affected by wind generation and by the roll off of PTCs after ten years of production (PTC roll off).

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

NEE's effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately 67% and 25%, respectively. The increase in the rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is primarily due to the establishment of a full valuation allowance of approximately $132 million on the deferred tax assets associated with the Spain solar projects. This valuation allowance primarily related to deferred tax assets created as a result of the $300 million impairment and other related charges ($342 million after-tax) recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013. In addition, the rates for both periods reflect the effect of production tax credits (PTCs) of approximately $59 million and $61 million for wind projects at NEER and deferred income tax benefits associated with grants (convertible investment tax credits (ITCs)) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended (Recovery Act), of $13 million and $12 million primarily for certain wind and solar projects expected to be placed in service.

NEE recognizes PTCs as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kilowatt-hour (kwh) rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, which may differ significantly from amounts computed, on a quarterly basis, using an overall effective income tax rate anticipated for the full year. NEE uses this method of recognizing PTCs for specific reasons, including that PTCs are an integral part of the financial viability of most wind projects and a fundamental component of such wind projects' results of operations. PTCs, as well as deferred income tax benefits associated with convertible ITCs, can significantly affect NEE's effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income. The amount of PTCs recognized can be significantly affected by wind generation and by the roll off of PTCs after ten years of production (PTC roll off).