Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 150	$ (387)	$ 248	$ (313)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $0, $1, $(1) and $1, respectively	(119)	120	(51)	248
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all the periods	95	0	98	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(24)	120	47	248
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $13, $25, $21 and $46, respectively	(42)	(93)	(47)	(157)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $10, $4, $11 and $1, respectively	29	3	49	2
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(13)	(90)	2	(155)
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $3, $1, $6 and $2, respectively	7	4	13	7
Total pension adjustments	7	4	13	7
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(30)	34	62	100
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	120	(353)	310	(213)
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(91)	(90)	(233)	(28)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 29	$ (443)	$ 77	$ (241)