Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 949	$ 1,244	$ 1,218	$ 1,218	$ 1,449
Restricted cash	274	277
Total current assets	6,398	6,416
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	1,197	621		610
Office Equipment:
Cost	24,119	24,911
Accumulated depreciation	(7,942)	(7,919)
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,296	20,415
Other Assets:
Deferred income taxes	130	227
Other assets	1,741	1,775
Total other assets	6,418	9,293
TOTAL ASSETS	33,112	36,124		36,545
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,371	1,238
Accrued and other liabilities	1,232	1,117
Total current liabilities	6,028	5,277
Long-term Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	2,365	2,327
Total noncurrent liabilities	21,402	24,365
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,501	8,592
Accumulated deficit	(2,276)	(1,146)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,876)	(2,756)		(3,883)
Treasury stock	(1,892)	(1,904)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	2,465	2,794
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	33,112	36,124
Parent Company [Member]
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	10	109		$ 186		$ 511
Restricted cash	0	3
Accounts and notes receivable from subsidiaries	143	155
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27	39
Total current assets	180	306
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	8,239	7,561
Office Equipment:
Cost	27	26
Accumulated depreciation	(18)	(16)
Property, plant and equipment, net	9	10
Other Intangible Assets, Net	3	5
Other Assets:
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2	5	5
Deferred income taxes	289	1,041
Other assets	2	13
Total other assets	299	1,064
TOTAL ASSETS	8,727	8,941
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	18	18
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	381	304
Accrued and other liabilities	246	250
Senior notes payable—current portion	5	0
Total current liabilities	650	572
Long-term Liabilities:
Senior notes payable	4,625	4,154
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable	0	517
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	967	883
Other long-term liabilities	20	21
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,612	5,575
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,501	8,592
Accumulated deficit	(2,276)	(1,146)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,876)	(2,756)
Treasury stock	(1,892)	(1,904)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	2,465	2,794
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 8,727	$ 8,941