debt defaults at risk of causing cross default

No definition available.

Name:	aes_Debtdefaultsatriskofcausingcrossdefault
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates non-recourse debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The value of the financial instrument(s) that the original debt is being converted into in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126999549&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126999549&loc=d3e4332-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466505&loc=SL123495323-112611

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124435984&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124429444&loc=SL124452920-239629

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69C
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466577&loc=SL123495737-112612

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 69B
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466577&loc=SL123495735-112612

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126972273&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126972273&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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 https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&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 https://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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=aes_RecourseDebtMember
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:	aes_DebtMaturityByYearAxis=aes_RevolvingFacility2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtByInstrumentAxis=aes_RevolvingCreditFacilityDue2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_RevolvingCreditFacilityDue2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A1375SeniorNotesDue2026Domain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A245SeniorNotesDue2031Domain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_RevolvingCreditFacilityDue2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A200MillionTermLoanDueSeptember2024Domain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aes_A200MillionTermLoanDueSeptember2024AmountBorrowedDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			$ 4,214	$ 1,251
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (1)	$ (22)	$ (8)	(41)
Debt defaults at risk of causing cross default	0		0
Recourse Debt \| Parent Company [Member] \| Revolving Facility2027 \| Revolving Credit Facility due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Recourse Debt Total	$ 1,100		$ 1,100
Recourse Debt Total	1,100		1,100
Corporate and Other [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility due 2026 \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes	1,250		1,250
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount		798
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 800		$ 800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.375%		1.375%
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 800		$ 800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.375%		1.375%
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount		$ 997
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.45%		2.45%
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.45%		2.45%
Corporate and Other [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility due 2027 \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes	1,500		1,500
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 200 Million Term Loan due September 2024 [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes	200		200
Corporate and Other [Member] \| 200 Million Term Loan due September 2024 (Amount Borrowed) [Domain] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes	$ 200		$ 200