Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 254us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 66us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $0 and $(1), respectively	(421)	5
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0 and $0, respectively	0	6
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(421)	11
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $17 and $24, respectively	(72)	(120)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) of $(2) and $(3), respectively	12	19
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(60)	(101)
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) of $(3) and $(3), respectively	5	6
Total pension adjustments	5	6
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(476)	(84)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(222)	(18)
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	88	(125)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (134)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (143)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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