Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
NET INCOME	$ 333	$ 207	$ 532	$ 722
Available-for-sale securities activity:
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $1 and $0, respectively	(1)	1	(1)	1
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	1	(1)	1	(1)
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $2, $2, $2 and $1, respectively	(226)	(383)	(258)	(241)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	44	(2)	41	(3)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(182)	(385)	(217)	(244)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(28), $24, $(28) and $20, respectively	102	(133)	86	(112)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(15), $(5), $(22) and $(33), respectively	61	40	85	126
Total change in fair value of derivatives	163	(93)	171	14
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(7), $(3), $(14) and $(6), respectively	13	7	27	13
Total pension adjustments	13	7	27	13
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)	(6)	(471)	(19)	(217)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	327	(264)	513	505
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	114	(283)	(131)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 180	$ (150)	$ 230	$ 374