Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Income Attributable to Parent And Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests [Text Block]

The following table summarizes the net income attributable to The AES Corporation and all transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests for the periods indicated (in millions):

	December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	$	46	$	303	$	1,203
Transfers from noncontrolling interest:
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares	260		(5)		(3)
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in-capital for purchase of subsidiary shares	(89)		—		—
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest	171		(5)		(3)
Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	$	217	$	298	$	1,200

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in AOCL by component, net of tax and noncontrolling interests, for the periods indicated were as follows (in millions):

	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		Derivative gains (losses), net		Unfunded pension obligations, net		Total
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	(1,721)	$	(300)	$	(50)	$	(2,071)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(23)		(202)		(15)		(240)
Amount reclassified to earnings	23		36		27		86
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		(166)		12		(154)
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	—		(4)		—		(4)
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	(1,721)	$	(470)	$	(38)	$	(2,229)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—		(309)		(12)		(321)
Amount reclassified to earnings	192		72		—		264
Other comprehensive income (loss)	192		(237)		(12)		(57)
Reclassification from NCI due to share sales and repurchases	(115)		8		(4)		(111)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	(1,644)	$	(699)	$	(54)	$	(2,397)

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Reclassifications out of AOCL are presented in the following table. Amounts for the periods indicated are in millions and those in parenthesis indicate debits to the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

Details About		December 31,
AOCL Components	Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations	2020		2019		2018
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net
	Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	$	(192)	$	(23)	$	19
	Net gain from disposal of discontinued operations	—		—		2
	Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	$	(192)	$	(23)	$	21
Derivative gains (losses), net
	Non-regulated revenue	$	(1)	$	(1)	$	(6)
	Non-regulated cost of sales	(3)		(12)		(3)
	Interest expense	(60)		(26)		(49)
	Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	—		1		—
	Asset impairment expense	(10)		—		—
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(7)		(12)		(59)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(81)		(50)		(117)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	17		13		24
	Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(10)		(5)		—
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	(74)		(42)		(93)
	Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	2		6		15
	Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	$	(72)	$	(36)	$	(78)
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial losses, net
	Regulated cost of sales	$	(1)	$	—	$	—
	Non-regulated cost of sales	1		—		—
	Other expense	—		(2)		(6)
	Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	—		(26)		—
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	—		(28)		(6)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	—		—		2
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	—		(28)		(4)
	Net gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	—		—		(2)
	Net income (loss)	—		(28)		(6)
	Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	—		1		(1)
	Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	$	—	$	(27)	$	(7)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests		$	(264)	$	(86)	$	(64)