Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,305	$ 1,257	$ 1,517	$ 1,517	$ 1,636
Restricted cash	278	295
Total current assets	6,411	6,842
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	621	610		537
Office Equipment:
Cost	28,539	27,282
Accumulated depreciation	(9,528)	(8,939)
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,847	22,022
Other Assets:
Deferred income taxes	781	410
Other assets	1,905	2,109
Total other assets	6,861	7,606
TOTAL ASSETS	36,119	36,470		38,562
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,656	1,571
Accrued and other liabilities	2,066	2,286
Total current liabilities	5,272	6,926
Long-term Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	3,005	2,794
Total noncurrent liabilities	24,365	22,835
Stockholders' equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,756)	(3,883)		(3,286)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	36,119	36,470
Parent Company
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	109	186		$ 511		$ 131
Restricted cash	3	32
Accounts and notes receivable from subsidiaries	155	264
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	39	26
Total current assets	306	508
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	7,561	7,764
Office Equipment:
Cost	26	27
Accumulated depreciation	(16)	(15)
Property, plant and equipment, net	10	12
Other Intangible Assets, Net	5	11
Other Assets:
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1	5	0
Deferred income taxes	1,041	1,028
Other assets	13	1
Total other assets	1,064	1,040
TOTAL ASSETS	8,941	9,324
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	18	16
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	304	97
Accrued and other liabilities	250	204
Total current liabilities	572	317
Long-term Liabilities:
Senior notes payable	4,154	4,449
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable	517	517
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	883	873
Other long-term liabilities	21	19
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,575	5,858
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,592	8,718
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(1,146)	143
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,756)	(3,883)
Treasury stock	(1,904)	(1,837)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	2,794	3,149
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 8,941	$ 9,324