Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	aes_DebtPurposeAxis=aes_LiquidityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	aes_DebtPurposeAxis=aes_OtherGeneralMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities	$ 792		$ 1,194
Corporate and Other [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			840
Corporate and Other [Member] \| Liquidity [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			250
Repayments of Debt		$ 250
Corporate and Other [Member] \| Other General [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			$ 590