XML 187 R178.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Senior Notes and Junior Subordinated Notes) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 5,258aes_RecourseDebtTotal 5,669aes_RecourseDebtTotal
Less: Current maturities (151)aes_RecourseDebtCurrent (118)aes_RecourseDebtCurrent
Recourse Debt Non Current 5,107aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent 5,551aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent
7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2014    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 0aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member		 110aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member
7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2015    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 151aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member		 356aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member
9.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2016    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 164aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member		 369aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member
8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2017    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 525aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member		 1,150aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member
Senior Secured Term Loan LIBOR Plus 2.75% Due 2018    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 0aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member		 799aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
Senior Unsecured Note LIBOR plus 3% due 2019    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 775aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNoteLIBORplus3due2019Member		  
8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2020    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 625aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member		 625aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member
7.38% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2021    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 1,000aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member		 1,000aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member
4.88% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2023    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member		 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member
5.50% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2024    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_A5.50SeniorUnsecuredNoteDue2024Member		  
Unamortized Discounts    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total   (7)aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_UnamortizedDiscountsMember
Recourse Debt    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember		  
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable 517us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember		 517us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedLongTermNotes
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
Recourse Debt | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2014    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member		 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member
Recourse Debt | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2015    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member		 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member
Recourse Debt | 9.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2016    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 9.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member		 9.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member
Recourse Debt | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2017    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member		 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member
Recourse Debt | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2020    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member		 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member
Recourse Debt | 7.38% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2021    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member		 7.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member
Recourse Debt | 4.88% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2023    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 4.88%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member		 4.88%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member
Recourse Debt | 5.50% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2024    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_A5.50SeniorUnsecuredNoteDue2024Member		  
Recourse Debt | LIBOR | Senior Secured Term Loan LIBOR Plus 2.75% Due 2018    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Basis spread on variable rate 2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		 2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Recourse Debt | LIBOR | Senior Unsecured Note LIBOR plus 3% due 2019    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Basis spread on variable rate 3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNoteLIBORplus3due2019Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		  
Parent Company    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 5,258aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable 517us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedLongTermNotes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		 517us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedLongTermNotes
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Long-term Debt of Registrant, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]    
2015 151us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
2016 162us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
2017 525us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
2018 0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
2019 773us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
Thereafter 3,647us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember		  
Parent Company | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2014    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 0aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member		 110aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member
Parent Company | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2015    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 151aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member		 356aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member
Parent Company | 9.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2016    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 164aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member		 369aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member
Parent Company | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2017    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 525aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member		 1,150aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member
Parent Company | Senior Secured Term Loan LIBOR Plus 2.75% Due 2018    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 0aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member		 799aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
Parent Company | Senior Unsecured Note LIBOR plus 3% due 2019    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 775aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNoteLIBORplus3due2019Member		  
Parent Company | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2020    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 625aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member		 625aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member
Parent Company | 7.38% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2021    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 1,000aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member		 1,000aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member
Parent Company | 4.88% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2023    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member		 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member
Parent Company | 5.50% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2024    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 750aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_A5.50SeniorUnsecuredNoteDue2024Member		  
Parent Company | Unamortized Discounts    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 1aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_UnamortizedDiscountsMember		 (7)aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_UnamortizedDiscountsMember
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2014    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member		 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2014Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 7.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2015    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member		 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote775Due2015Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 9.75% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2016    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 9.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member		 9.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote975Due2016Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2017    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member		 8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2017Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 8.00% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2020    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate   8.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote800Due2020Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 7.38% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2021    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 7.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member		 7.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote7375Due2021Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | 4.88% Senior Unsecured Note Due 2023    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Interest Rate 4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member		 4.88%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNote4875Due2023Member
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | LIBOR | Senior Secured Term Loan LIBOR Plus 2.75% Due 2018    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Basis spread on variable rate 2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		 2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorSecuredTermLoanLIBORPlus275Due2018Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Parent Company | Recourse Debt | LIBOR | Senior Unsecured Note LIBOR plus 3% due 2019    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Basis spread on variable rate 3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtMember
/ aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis
= aes_SeniorUnsecuredNoteLIBORplus3due2019Member
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		  
Parent Company | Recourse Debt Excluding Junior Subordinated Debt    
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]    
Recourse Debt Total 4,741aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember		 5,152aes_RecourseDebtTotal
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember
Less: Current maturities (151)aes_RecourseDebtCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember		 (118)aes_RecourseDebtCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember
Recourse Debt Non Current 4,590aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember		 5,034aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= aes_RecourseDebtExcludingJuniorSubordinatedDebtMember