Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	$ 2,120		$ 2,011
Regulated cost of sales	(1,932)		(1,787)
Non-regulated cost of sales	(1,536)		(1,614)
Interest expense	(373)		(370)
Gain on sale of investments	1		3
Foreign currency transaction losses	(19)		(30)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	118		310
Income tax expense	(54)		(83)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	25		4
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	89		231
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(136)		(119)
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	(43)		(36)	[1]
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(58)		82
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(27)	[2]	(22)	[2]
Unrealized Derivative Losses, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	13	[2]	0	[2]
Non-regulated cost of sales	1	[2]	(1)	[2]
Interest expense	(32)	[2]	(35)	[2]
Foreign currency transaction losses	(3)	[2]	7	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(21)	[2]	(29)	[2]
Income tax expense	3	[2]	7	[2]
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	(1)	[2]	(2)	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(19)	[2]	(24)	[2]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	[2]	2	[2]
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(19)	[2]	(22)	[2]
Amortization Of Defined Benefit Pension Actuarial Loss, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Regulated cost of sales	(8)	[2]	(20)	[2]
Non-regulated cost of sales	(1)	[2]	(1)	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(9)	[2]	(21)	[2]
Income tax expense	3	[2]	7	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(6)	[2]	(14)	[2]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	[2]	11	[2]
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(2)	[2]	(3)	[2]
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments	0	[2]	3	[2]
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	(6)	[2]	0	[2]
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (6)	[2]	$ 3	[2]

[1] Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.

[2] Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.