Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest income									$ 275	$ 348	$ 398
General and administrative expenses									220	274	346
Other income									125	98	142
Other expense									(76)	(82)	(86)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(229)	(8)	(62)
Interest expense									(1,482)	(1,544)	(1,530)
Income tax benefit (expense)									343	685	656
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(206)	71	167	82	175	(1,568)	140	341	114	(912)	58
Parent Company
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from subsidiaries and affiliates									32	20	59
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates									498	(437)	352
Interest income									66	119	158
General and administrative expenses									171	213	227
Other income									14	99	4
Other expense									(11)	(15)	(18)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(165)	(4)	0
Interest expense									(436)	(502)	(444)
Income (loss) before income taxes									(173)	(933)	(116)
Income tax benefit (expense)									(287)	(21)	(174)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION									$ 114	$ (912)	$ 58