Leases Lessor (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021		Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income	$ 143		$ 135
Variable Lease, Income	14		11
Lease Income	129		124
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, after Year Five	309
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Payments to be Received	404
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Five	20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Four	20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Three	20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Two	20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year One	15
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivables, Gross Difference, Amount [Abstract]
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable	220
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Undiscounted Excess Amount	(184)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One	361
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two	467
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three	404
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four	404
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five	405
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five	1,032
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	3,073
Operating Lease, Risk Strategy, Residual Asset	8,342			$ 8,472
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Profit (Loss)	13	[1]	$ 0
Sales-type Lease, Interest Income	4
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	2,588			3,103
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	2,588			3,103
Accumulated Amortization on PP&E
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	773			1,011
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	773			1,011
Assets
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,815			2,092
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,815			$ 2,092
Distributed Energy [Member]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Profit (Loss)	$ (13)

[1] Related to a loss recognized at commencement of a sales-type lease at AES Distributed Energy. See Note 9—Leases for further information.