Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 261	$ 229	$ 509	$ (84)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $1, $(1), $0 and $0, respectively	80	(16)	29	232
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax	0	0	98	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	80	(16)	127	232
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(6), $(7), $15 and $39, respectively	5	19	(42)	(138)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $5, $(4), $(6) and $(5), respectively	1	21	50	23
Total change in fair value of derivatives	6	40	8	(115)
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $4, $2, $10 and $4, respectively	7	3	20	10
Total pension adjustments	7	3	20	10
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	93	27	155	127
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	354	256	664	43
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(127)	(66)	(360)	(94)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 227	$ 190	$ 304	$ (51)