Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (387)	$ 264	$ (313)	$ 518
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $1, $0, $1 and $0 respectively	120	77	248	(344)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	120	77	248	(344)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $25, $(20), $46 and $(3), respectively	(93)	82	(157)	10
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $4, $1, $1 and $3, respectively	3	7	2	19
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(90)	89	(155)	29
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of $0 income tax for all periods	0	0	1	0
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial loss for the period, net of $0 income tax for all periods	0	0	(1)	0
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $1, $2, $2 and $5, respectively	4	4	7	9
Total pension adjustments	4	4	7	9
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	34	170	100	(306)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(353)	434	(213)	212
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(90)	(261)	(28)	(173)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (443)	$ 173	$ (241)	$ 39