Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (777)	$ 762	$ 1,147
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $1, $1, and $(7), respectively	189	(1,019)	(491)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	992	0	(3)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	1,181	(1,019)	(494)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(7), $16 and $72, respectively	5	(57)	(358)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $8, $11 and $26, respectively	37	66	99
Total change in fair value of derivatives	42	9	(259)
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of income tax expense of $6, $0, and $0 respectively	11	1	0
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $106, $(29), and $27, respectively	(208)	60	(49)
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $3, $9, and $7, respectively	10	16	29
Total pension adjustments	(187)	77	(20)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	1,036	(933)	(773)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	259	(171)	374
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(262)	(133)	(49)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (3)	$ (304)	$ 325