Name:	aes_ConstructionLineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Materiality threshold for cash distribution from business to Parent

No definition available.

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Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under credit facilities at subsidiaries (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding) for general business use, including to support working capital, debt service reserves and other business needs excluding construction

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The total current and noncurrent amount of restricted cash maintained under in accordance with certain covenants of existing debt agreements

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RestrictedCashAndDebtServiceReserves
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of net assets of subsidiaries restricted under various lender and governmental provisions that restrict the ability of the subsidiaries to transfer net assets to the parent company

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RestrictedNetAssets
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=aes_NonrecourseDebtMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESTieteDomain
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_GenerSubsidiaryMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESArgentinaMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_IPALCOEnterprisesInc.Member
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESSouthlandDomain
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_McacGenerationMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_LosMinaMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A5.125SeniorNotesDue2017Member
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A5.125SeniorNotesDue2027Member
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A8.0SeniorNotesDue2020Domain
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A4.5SeniorNotesDue2023DomainDomain
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