Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 1,203	$ (1,161)	$ (1,130)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	1,565	(777)	(777)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $2, $17, and $1, respectively	(161)	(9)	189
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	(21)	643	992
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(182)	634	1,181
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $27, $10 and $(7), respectively	(67)	(12)	5
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $24, $1 and $8, respectively	93	50	37
Total change in fair value of derivatives	26	38	42
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $1, $(1), and $(6) respectively	(2)	2	11
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax benefit of $1, $6, and $106, respectively	(1)	(21)	(208)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $2, $135, and $3 respectively	8	266	10
Total pension adjustments	5	247	(187)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(151)	919	1,036
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	1,414	142	259
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(425)	(390)	(262)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 989	$ (248)	$ (3)