Number of agreements under which the Parent Company has contingent contractual obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_ObligationsNumberOfAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reversal of Cost of Goods Sold associated with previously recognized compensation to be received from the concession extension that was updated based on new regulations (ANEEL) published in December 2020

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aes_ReversalOfCostOfGoodsSold
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Minimum period the individual is required to perform services to be fully vested under the deferred compensation arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 710
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409961&loc=d3e20487-108367

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124440162&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Describe the approximate term of the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124440162&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124440162&loc=d3e12021-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after accumulated amortization of finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets classified as other.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=aes_LitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_GuaranteesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESTieteDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=aes_CompensationFromConcessionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESTieteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_FinancialStandbyLetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_SuretyBondMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Contingencies (Loss Contingencies) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Contingencies (Loss Contingencies) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) agreement	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) agreement	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Term		less than one year to no more than 15 years
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,331	$ 2,331
Number of Agreements \| agreement	149	149
Environmental Remediation Contingency [Domain]
Environmental Contingencies
Liability recorded for projected environmental remediation costs	$ 4	$ 4		$ 5
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,162	$ 2,162
Number of Agreements \| agreement	90	90
Litigation
Litigation Contingencies
Aggregate reserves for claims deemed both probable and reasonably estimable	$ 23	$ 23		28
Parent Company [Member] \| Guarantees [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,200	$ 2,200
Number of Agreements \| agreement	90	90
AES Tiete [Domain] \| Compensation from Concession Agreement
Litigation Contingencies
Reversal of Cost of Goods Sold				6
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period	2 years 8 months 12 days
Other Intangible Assets, Net			$ 190
AES Tiete
Litigation Contingencies
Reversal of Cost of Goods Sold				184
AES Tiete \| Compensation from Concession Agreement
Litigation Contingencies
Other Intangible Assets, Net				$ 184
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 119	$ 119
Number of Agreements \| agreement	31	31
Secured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 48	$ 48
Number of Agreements \| agreement	26	26
Secured Debt [Member] \| Surety Bond
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2	$ 2
Number of Agreements \| agreement	2	2
Minimum [Member] \| Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		1.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member] \| Litigation
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	255	255
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	0	0
Minimum [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	0	0
Minimum [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Surety Bond
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	1	$ 1
Maximum [Member] \| Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		3.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Environmental Remediation Contingency [Domain]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	11	$ 11
Maximum [Member] \| Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	400	400
Maximum [Member] \| Litigation
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	898	898
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	42	42
Maximum [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	16	16
Maximum [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| Surety Bond
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 1	$ 1