Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ (2,466)	$ (2,645)
General and Administrative Expense	(75)	(55)
Other expense	(38)	(14)
Interest expense	(357)	(330)
Gain on disposal and sale of business interests	43	0
Impairment expense	(46)	(20)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(8)	(42)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	277	265
Income tax benefit (expense)	16	(72)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(15)	(4)
Net income	278	189
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	432	151
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(1)	(1)
Interest expense	1	3
Gain on disposal and sale of business interests	0	33
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	1	0
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	1	35
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	(9)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	1	15
Net income	2	41
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	0	(1)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	2	$ 40
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ 0