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Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental [Member]    
Environmental Contingencies    
Liability recorded for projected environmental remediation costs $ 11us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_EnvironmentalMember
$ 12us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_EnvironmentalMember
Litigation Contingencies    
Maximum potential loss 1us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_EnvironmentalMember
 
Litigation [Member]    
Litigation Contingencies    
Minimum potential loss 919us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMinimum
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_LitigationMember
 
Maximum potential loss 974us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossMaximum
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_LitigationMember
 
Aggregate reserves for claims deemed both probable and reasonably estimable $ 193us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_LitigationMember
$ 199us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= aes_LitigationMember