Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (481)	$ 298	$ (249)	$ 598
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 income tax for all periods	30	(75)	(105)	(67)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	80	0	78	23
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	110	(75)	(27)	(44)
Derivative activity:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	23	(178)	(471)	(375)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	27	17	84	36
Total change in fair value of derivatives	50	(161)	(387)	(339)
Pension activity:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax	0	0	0	2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax	1	0	1	27
Total pension adjustments	1	0	1	29
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	161	(236)	(413)	(354)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(320)	62	(662)	244
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	166	(40)	106	(123)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(154)	22	(556)	121
OCI, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), Arising During Period, Tax	0	0	0	0
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, income tax (expense) benefit	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0