Equity Equity - Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The AES Corporation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	$ (949)	$ 175	$ (482)	$ 126	$ (85)	$ 180	$ 69	$ 142	$ (1,130)	$ 306		$ 769
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares									(2)	0
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest									(2)	(54)		36
Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests									(1,132)	252		805
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares									84	323		29
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares									(2)			7
Retained Earnings [Member]
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares									(84)	(377)		0
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares									0			0
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares									$ (84)	$ (377)	[1]	$ 0	[1]

[1] See Note 18—Redeemable stock of subsidiaries for further information on increase in paid-in capital transferred to redeemable stock of subsidiaries.