Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	$ 1,904		$ 2,120
Regulated cost of sales	1,807		1,932
Non-regulated cost of sales	1,456		1,536
Other income	16		12
Interest expense	(363)		(373)
Foreign currency transaction losses	(23)		(19)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	335		118
Income tax expense	(96)		(54)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	15		25
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	254		89
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0		(43)
Net income	254		66
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	112		136
Interest income	90		63
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	142		(58)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	10
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	(10)	[1]	(27)	[1]
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	5	[1]	13	[1]
Non-regulated cost of sales	0	[1]	1	[1]
Interest expense	(25)	[1]	(32)	[1]
Foreign currency transaction losses	6	[1]	(3)	[1]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(14)	[1]	(21)	[1]
Income tax expense	2	[1]	3	[1]
Net equity in earnings of affiliates			(1)	[1]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(12)	[1]	(19)	[1]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	[1]	0	[1]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(9)	[1]	(19)	[1]
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)	[1]	(8)	[1]
Non-regulated cost of sales	0	[1]	(1)	[1]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(8)	[1]	(9)	[1]
Income tax expense	3	[1]	3	[1]
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(5)	[1]	(6)	[1]
Net income	(5)	[1]	(6)	[1]
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	[1]	4	[1]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(1)	[1]	(2)	[1]
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0	[1]	(6)	[1]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 0	[1]	$ (6)	[1]

[1] Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.