Equity (Reclassifications Out of AOCL) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	$ 134	$ (9)	$ (1,683)
Impairment expenses	(1,079)	(1,715)	(1,575)
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	10,164	10,069	8,430
Other Expenses	(99)	(68)	(60)
Interest expense	(1,319)	(1,117)	(911)
Foreign currency transaction losses	(359)	(77)	(10)
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	104	(169)	(1,064)
Income tax expense	261	265	(133)
Net equity in losses of affiliates	(32)	(71)	(24)
Net income (loss)	(189)	(505)	(955)
Net income (loss)	(182)	(505)	(951)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	249	(546)	(409)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(431)	41		$ (542)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	52	(44)	(258)
Available-for-Sale securities, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	0	0	(3)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	0	0	(3)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	33	0	(362)
Impairment expenses	0	(16)	(13)
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(8)	(1)	(1)
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(3)	(1)	1
Interest expense	17	(58)	(85)
Foreign currency transaction losses	(3)	2	(15)
Income tax expense	9	9	105
Net equity in losses of affiliates	28	6	(17)
Derivative gains (losses), net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	36	(74)	(475)
Net income (loss)	73	(59)	(387)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	52	(44)	(254)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(21)	15	133
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial losses, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	0	(2)	(4)
Net income (loss)	0	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	0	0	(1)
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial losses, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unregulated Operation [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	0	(1)	(1)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	1	0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Expenses	0	(1)	3
Income tax expense	$ 0	$ 1	$ (3)