Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrative (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt defaults at risk of causing cross default		0
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 1	$ 10
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt		406	$ 866
Nonrecourse Debt [Member] | AES Southland [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt	[1]	112
Nonrecourse Debt [Member] | Gener Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt		$ 85
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | LIBOR 1.75% Term Loan Due In 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | LIBOR 2.25% Senior Notes Due In 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | LIBOR 4.15% Senior Notes Due In 2029 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		4.15%

[1] Issuances relate to the June 2017 long-term non-recourse debt financing to fund the Southland repowering construction projects.