Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 2,483	$ 2,537	$ 5,133	$ 5,277
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(1,981)	(1,937)	(4,045)	(4,021)
Operating margin	502	600	1,088	1,256
Interest income	82	76	161	152
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	118	342	472	1,340
Income tax expense	57	132	172	363
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	66	224	299	1,002
NET INCOME	67	416	300	1,193
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	17	290	171	974
Other current assets	811		811			$ 807
Deferred income taxes	122		122			97
Loan receivable	1,388		1,388			1,423
TOTAL ASSETS	33,238		33,238			32,521
Accrued and other liabilities	897		897		$ 989	962
Accumulated deficit	(824)		(824)			(1,005)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,147)		(2,147)			(2,071)
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,260		2,260			2,396
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	33,238		33,238			32,521
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	(1,169)		(1,169)			(1,166)
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	(438)		(438)			(370)
Debt service reserves and other deposits	346		346			467
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 1,953	$ 2,142	$ 1,953	$ 2,142		$ 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					$ 6