Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$ (47)	$ 112
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	724	745
(Loss) Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ (0.07)	$ 0.15
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Stock options (Shares)		1
Restricted stock units (Shares)		3
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Income)	$ (47)	$ 112
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Shares)	724	749
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ (0.07)	$ 0.15
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issued under the Company's profit sharing plan	1
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	5	8
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2	1
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15	15