Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 478	$ 1,565	$ (777)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $1, $2 and $17, respectively	(33)	(161)	(9)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	23	(21)	643
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(10)	(182)	634
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $74, $27 and $10, respectively	(265)	(67)	(12)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $12, $24 and $1, respectively	42	93	50
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(223)	26	38
Pension activity:
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $0, $1 and $(1), respectively	1	(2)	2
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax benefit of $10, $1 and $6, respectively	(23)	(1)	(21)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $13, $2 and $135, respectively	28	8	266
Total pension adjustments	6	5	247
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(227)	(151)	919
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	251	1,414	142
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	(102)	(425)	(390)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 149	$ 989	$ (248)