Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 74	$ 254
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 income tax for all periods	128	(421)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	128	(421)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $21 and $17, respectively	(64)	(72)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $3 and $(2), respectively	(1)	12
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(65)	(60)
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of $0 income tax for all periods	1	0
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of $0 income tax for all periods	(1)	0
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) of $(1) and $(3), respectively	3	5
Total pension adjustments	3	5
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	66	(476)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	140	(222)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	62	88
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 202	$ (134)