Fair Value (Nonrecurring Unobservable Inputs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020		Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value | Level 3
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 2,225
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Assets Liabilities Value	101
AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring				$ 73
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | AES Panama
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		$ 0
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		2,043
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | AES Panama
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		17
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		2,339
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Level 3 | OPGC Affiliate [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring								$ 152
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	29
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	73
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			$ 78
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			241
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			661
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	91
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0		0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0		0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Gener Subsidiary [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring				$ 73
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | AES Panama
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring					$ 14
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			11
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		86	86		$ 306	[1]	$ 306
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		$ 12	12
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 0		0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value | Level 3 | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			2,043
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Hawaii Subsidiary [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring									$ 103
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Level 3 | Hawaii Subsidiary [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring			$ 12
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(12.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(10.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(69.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(8.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(80.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(18.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(12.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(14.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	6.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	6.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	54.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	58.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	8.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	23.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	6.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	14.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(1.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	8.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	2.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	2.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(45.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(26.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(10.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(8.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	37.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(5.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(18.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(18.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	45.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	39.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	56.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	53.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	97.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	21.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	29.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(37.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	(11.00%)
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	46.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	6.00%
Measurement Input, Operating Margin [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	2.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Minimum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	18.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | AES PR
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Buffalo Gap [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap II [Member] [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	8.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Ventanas 3 & 4
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | buffalo gap III
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	11.00%
Sale price per kilowatt (USD) | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Maximum | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	8.00%
Sale price per kilowatt (USD) | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	2.00%
Age of unit when sold | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average | Alto Maipo
Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	7.00%

[1] See Note 22—Asset Impairment Expense for further information.(5)See Note 8—Investments In and Advances to Affiliates for further information.