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Asset Impairment Expense (Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Asset) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset impairment expense | $ 537 | $ 1,096 | $ 285
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 537 | 1,096 | 285
DPL Subsidiary [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 175 | 859 | 0
Laurel Mountain [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 121 | 0 | 0
Kazakhstan Hydro [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of | 92 | 0 | 0
Kazakhstan [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of | 94 | 0 | 0
Kilroot [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 37 | 0 | 121
buffalo gap III [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 0 | 0 | 116
UK Wind (Newfield) [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 0 |  | 37
UK Wind Development Projects [Domain] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use |  | 0 | 37
buffalo gap II [Member] [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 0 | 159 | 0
Buffalo Gap I |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | 0 | 77 | 0
Other |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use | $ 18 | $ 1 | $ 11

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- Definition The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 958 -SubTopic 225 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84241808&loc=d3e92212-112881 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68055307&loc=d3e2420-110228 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=d3e2921-110230 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68055307&loc=d3e2611-110228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition The charge against earnings resulting from the write down of long lived assets other than goodwill due to the difference between the carrying value and lower fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176398&loc=d3e2921-110230 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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