Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (777)	$ (777)	$ 762
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $17, $1, and $1, respectively	(9)	189	(1,019)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	643	992	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	634	1,181	(1,019)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $10, $(7) and $16, respectively	(12)	5	(57)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $1, $8 and $11, respectively	50	37	66
Total change in fair value of derivatives	38	42	9
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of income tax expense of $1, $6, and $0 respectively	2	11	1
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $6, $106, and $(29), respectively	(21)	(208)	60
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $135, $3, and $9, respectively	266	10	16
Total pension adjustments	247	(187)	77
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	919	1,036	(933)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	142	259	(171)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(390)	(262)	(133)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (248)	$ (3)	$ (304)