Name:	dpl_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentfromAOCIonDerivativesRelatedtoDiscontinuedOperationsTax
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of tax (expense) benefit of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss for prior service cost (credit) of defined benefit plan.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of tax expense (benefit) of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).

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

Amount of tax expense (benefit) for reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for transition asset (obligation) of defined benefit plan.

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

Amount of tax expense (benefit), before reclassification adjustments, related to increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669646-108580