Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 152	$ 478	$ 1,565
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(8), $1, and $2, respectively	(52)	(33)	(161)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	192	23	(21)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	140	(10)	(182)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit of $110, $74, and $27, respectively	(368)	(265)	(67)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $17, $12, and $24, respectively	74	42	93
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(294)	(223)	26
Pension activity:
Prior service cost for the period, net of income tax expense of $1, $0 and $1, respectively	1	1	(2)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax	(14)	(23)	(1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax	0	28	8
Total pension adjustments	(13)	6	5
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(167)	(227)	(151)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(15)	251	1,414
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	4	(102)	(425)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (11)	$ 149	$ 989