Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest income									$ 310	$ 244	$ 245
General and administrative expenses									(192)	(215)	(194)
Other income									72	120	64
Other expense									(58)	(58)	(80)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(188)	(68)	(13)
Interest expense									(1,056)	(1,170)	(1,134)
Income (loss) before income taxes									(509)	(521)	(354)
Income tax benefit (expense)									(708)	(990)	(32)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 128	$ 101	$ 290	$ 684	$ (1,342)	$ 152	$ 53	$ (24)	1,203	(1,161)	(1,130)
Parent Company
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from subsidiaries and affiliates									36	28	14
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries and affiliates									1,909	630	(615)
Interest income									39	49	19
General and administrative expenses									(142)	(158)	(144)
Other income									25	5	7
Other expense									0	(554)	(65)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(171)	(92)	(14)
Interest expense									(220)	(317)	(344)
Income (loss) before income taxes									1,476	(409)	(1,142)
Income tax benefit (expense)									(273)	(752)	12
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION									$ 1,203	$ (1,161)	$ (1,130)