Name:	aes_RecourseDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The non-current portion of the entity's recourse debt. Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates' non-recourse debt.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates non-recourse debt.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtTotal
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_A5.50SeniorUnsecuredNoteDue2024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_SeniorUnsecuredNoteLIBORplus3due2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_TermConvertibleTrustSecurities675Due2029Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_UnamortizedDiscountsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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