Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	$ 1,664	$ 1,862	$ 3,359	$ 3,786
Regulated cost of sales	(1,431)	(1,432)	(2,898)	(2,989)
Non-regulated cost of sales	(1,224)	(1,469)	(2,519)	(2,949)
Interest expense	(390)	(287)	(732)	(630)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(36)	13	4	(8)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(22)	396	151	743
Income tax benefit (expense)	7	(123)	(90)	(223)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(8)	274	75	535
Net income (loss)	(387)	264	(313)	518
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(482)	69	(356)	211
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			5
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	(4)	(4)	(5)	(14)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Regulated cost of sales	5	6	(9)	(14)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(5)	(6)	(9)	(14)
Income tax benefit (expense)	1	2	2	5
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(4)	(4)	(7)	(9)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	32	10	74	15
Non-regulated cost of sales	(16)	(5)	(37)	(5)
Interest expense	(32)	(15)	(61)	(40)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	9	2	21	8
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(7)	(8)	(3)	(22)
Income tax benefit (expense)	4	1	1	3
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(3)	(7)	(2)	(19)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	4	(1)	7
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			3
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(3)	(3)	(3)	(12)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	3	5	7
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			2
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (2)	$ (2)