Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,262	$ 1,539	$ 1,642	$ 1,900
Restricted cash	295	283
Deferred income taxes	0	275
Total current assets	6,866	7,826
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	610	537	1,010
Office Equipment:
Cost	28,491	30,459
Accumulated depreciation	(9,449)	(9,962)
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,816	25,151
Other Assets:
Deferred income taxes	543	662
Other Assets	2,536	2,640
Total other assets	7,168	5,989
TOTAL ASSETS	36,850	38,966	40,411
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,721	2,278
Accrued and other liabilities	2,436	2,326
Total current liabilities	6,950	6,997
Long-term Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	2,896	3,222
Total noncurrent liabilities	23,191	24,566
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,718	8,409
Retained earnings	143	512
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,883)	(3,286)
Treasury stock	(1,837)	(1,371)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	3,149	4,272
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	36,850	38,966
Parent Company
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	186	511	$ 131	$ 305
Restricted cash	32	81
Accounts and notes receivable from subsidiaries	264	380
Deferred income taxes	0	142
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	26	57
Total current assets	508	1,171
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	7,764	9,063
Office Equipment:
Cost	135	157
Accumulated depreciation	(112)	(114)
Property, plant and equipment, net	23	43
Other Assets:
Deferred financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $75 and $81, respectively)	49	61
Deferred income taxes	1,028	872
Other Assets	1	1
Total other assets	1,078	934
TOTAL ASSETS	9,373	11,211
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	16	25
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	97	80
Accrued and other liabilities	204	212
Senior notes payable—current portion	0	151
Total current liabilities	317	468
Long-term Liabilities:
Senior notes payable	4,498	4,590
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable	517	517
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	873	1,352
Other long-term liabilities	19	12
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,907	6,471
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,718	8,409
Retained earnings	143	512
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,883)	(3,286)
Treasury stock	(1,837)	(1,371)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	3,149	4,272
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 9,373	$ 11,211