Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,031	$ 1,909
Restricted cash	620	738
Short-term investments	898	693
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $140 and $195, respectively	2,326	2,542
Inventory	711	722
Deferred income taxes	172	199
Prepaid expenses	199	223
Other current assets	836	1,074
Current assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale assets	458	365
Total current assets	8,251	8,465
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Land	952	1,005
Electric generation, distribution assets and other	30,835	30,451
Accumulated depreciation	(9,531)	(9,195)
Construction in progress	2,826	2,511
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,082	24,772
Other Assets:
Investments in and advances to affiliates	1,025	1,196
Debt service reserves and other deposits	485	511
Goodwill	1,941	1,999
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $151 and $222, respectively	325	395
Deferred income taxes	821	940
Other noncurrent assets	2,169	2,190
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale assets	1,151	1,362
Total other assets	7,917	8,593
TOTAL ASSETS	41,250	41,830
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	2,156	2,547
Accrued interest	396	288
Accrued and other liabilities	2,116	2,350
Non-recourse debt, including $267 and $275, respectively, related to variable interest entities	2,385	2,495
Recourse debt	118	11
Current liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	838	628
Total current liabilities	8,009	8,319
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Non-recourse debt, including $939 and $858, respectively, related to variable interest entities	12,981	12,286
Recourse debt	5,552	5,951
Deferred income taxes	1,116	1,192
Pension and other post-retirement liabilities	2,138	2,418
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,042	3,562
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	368	510
Total noncurrent liabilities	25,197	25,919
Contingencies and Commitments (see Note 8)
Cumulative preferred stock of subsidiaries	78	78
THE AES CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 813,077,875 issued and 742,245,268 outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 810,679,839 issued and 744,263,855 outstanding at December 31, 2012)	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,497	8,525
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	56	(264)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,918)	(2,920)
Treasury stock, at cost (70,832,607 shares at September 30, 2013 and 66,415,984 shares at December 31, 2012)	(830)	(780)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,813	4,569
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	3,153	2,945
Total equity	7,966	7,514
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 41,250	$ 41,830