Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 229	$ 203	$ (84)	[1]	$ 721	[1]
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(1), $1, $0 and $1, respectively	(16)	(513)	232		(857)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(16)	(513)	232		(857)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(7), $22, $39 and $22, respectively	19	(70)	(138)		(73)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $4, $0, $5 and $6, respectively	21	14	23		46
Total change in fair value of derivatives	40	(56)	(115)		(27)
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $2, $3, $4 and $8, respectively	3	4	10		13
Total pension adjustments	3	4	10		13
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	27	(565)	127		(871)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	256	(362)	43		(150)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(66)	229	(94)		56
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 190	$ (133)	$ (51)		$ (94)

[1] (1) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $105 million and $8 million of net loss attributable to redeemable stocks of subsidiaries.