Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ (777)	$ (98)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $0 and $(1), respectively	25	68
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax	(16)	3
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	9	71
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(15) and $8, respectively	57	(5)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $1 and $(1), respectively	10	20
Total change in fair value of derivatives	67	15
Pension activity:
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax expense of $0 and $3, respectively	2	6
Total pension adjustments	2	6
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	78	92
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	855	190
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(122)	(142)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 733	$ 48