Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	$ 2,063		$ 1,934		$ 6,378		$ 5,916
Regulated cost of sales	1,956		1,663		5,732		5,082
Non-regulated cost of sales	1,718		1,406		4,902		4,432
Other income	12		25		56		106
Interest expense	(390)		(358)		(1,086)		(1,065)
Gain on disposals and sale of investments	362		3		363		26
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(79)		32		(91)		(16)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	606		450		1,142		1,167
Income tax expense	(92)		(126)		(303)		(285)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	(6)		15		39		21
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	508		339		878		903
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0		(78)		(56)		(111)	[1]
Net income	508		223		849		755
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	20		164		295		449
Interest income	69		85		205		213
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	488		71		563		320
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax					8
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(33)	[2]	(28)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(143)	[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	4		(3)	[2]	23		(4)	[2]
Non-regulated cost of sales	(2)	[2]	(2)	[2]	(4)	[2]	(4)	[2]
Interest expense	(39)	[2]	(36)	[2]	(102)	[2]	(105)	[2]
Gain on disposals and sale of investments	0		0		0		(21)	[2]
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(17)	[2]	7		(13)	[2]	(3)	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(54)	[2]	(34)	[2]	(96)	[2]	(137)	[2]
Income tax expense	10		8		23		30
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	0		(1)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(5)	[2]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(44)	[2]	(27)	[2]	(76)	[2]	(112)	[2]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	9		2		(24)		(15)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(35)	[2]	(25)	[2]	(52)	[2]	(97)	[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]	(17)	[2]	(25)	[2]	(56)	[2]
Non-regulated cost of sales	0		1	[2]	0		(3)	[2]
Other income	0		0		(2)	[2]	0
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(8)	[2]	(18)	[2]	(27)	[2]	(59)	[2]
Income tax expense	3		6		4		20
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(5)	[2]	(12)	[2]	(23)	[2]	(39)	[2]
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0		9		2		30
Net income	(5)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(21)	[2]	(9)	[2]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	3		0		(14)		0
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(2)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(7)	[2]	(9)	[2]
Available-For-Sale Securities, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest income	0		0		0		(1)	[2]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	0		0		0		(1)	[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 disposals and sale of investments	4		0		4		(1)	[2]
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0		0		47		(35)	[2]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 4		$ 0		$ 51		$ (36)	[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.