Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 67	$ 416	$ 300	$ 1,193
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $0, $1, $0 and $1, respectively	9	(142)	8	(117)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	23	18	23	2
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	32	(124)	31	(115)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $35, $15, $53 and $0, respectively	(129)	(40)	(197)	17
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $1, $9, $3 and $8, respectively	9	36	19	46
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(120)	(4)	(178)	63
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of $0 income tax for all periods	2	0	2	0
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $13, $2, $13 and $2, respectively	(26)	(2)	27	4
Total pension adjustments	28	2	29	4
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(60)	(126)	(118)	(48)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	7	290	182	1,145
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	(30)	(180)	(83)	(302)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (23)	$ 110	$ 99	$ 843