Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 2,650	$ 2,740
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(2,064)	(2,084)
Operating margin	586	656
Interest income	79	76
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	354	998
Income tax expense	115	231
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	233	778
NET INCOME	233	777
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	154	684
Other current assets	703			$ 807
Deferred income taxes	108			97
Loan receivable	1,406			1,423
TOTAL ASSETS	33,471			32,521
Accrued and other liabilities	914		$ 989	962
Accumulated deficit	(839)			(1,005)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,107)			(2,071)
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,415			2,396
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	33,471			32,521
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	(1,426)			(1,166)
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	(519)			(370)
Debt service reserves and other deposits	430			467
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 2,375	$ 2,168		$ 2,003	$ 1,788
Retained Earnings [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			4
Retained Earnings [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 8