Equity Equity - Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The AES Corporation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	$ (632)	$ 343	$ 28	$ (148)	$ 318	$ (333)	$ (83)	$ 144	$ (409)	$ 46	$ 303
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest									(16)	171	(5)
Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests									(425)	217	298
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares									(7)	260	(5)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests									(9)	(89)	0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Transfers from the noncontrolling interest:
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares									0	0	$ 0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests									$ 0	$ 0