Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	$ 1,940	$ 2,037	$ 5,933	$ 6,122
Non-regulated cost of sales	(1,403)	(1,461)	(4,423)	(4,445)
Regulated cost of sales	(1,663)	(1,927)	(5,082)	(5,642)
Interest expense	(357)	(396)	(1,065)	(1,182)
Interest income	85	88	213	261
Gain on sale of investments	3	30	26	214
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	32	(7)	(16)	(108)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	386	(1,283)	1,105	(308)
Income tax expense	(126)	(172)	(285)	(514)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	15	25	21	49
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	275	(1,430)	841	(773)
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(146)	(155)	(431)	(398)
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	(78)	(2)	(111)	68
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	71	(1,568)	320	(1,087)
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(28)		(143)
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Unrealized Derivative Losses, Net [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	(3)		(4)
Non-regulated cost of sales	(2)		(4)
Interest expense	(36)		(105)
Gain on sale of investments	0		(21)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	7		(3)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(34)		(137)
Income tax expense	8		30
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	(1)		(5)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(27)		(112)
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	2		15
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(25)		(97)
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Pension Actuarial Loss, Net [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated cost of sales	(1)		(3)
Regulated cost of sales	(17)		(56)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(18)		(59)
Income tax expense	6		20
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(12)		(39)
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	9		30
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(3)		(9)
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Available-For-Sale Securities, Net [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest income	0		(1)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	0		(1)
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments	0		(1)
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0		(35)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 0		$ (36)