Amount due from government bodies, more than one year from the balance sheet date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of accounts receivable and associated secured borrowing recognized on the balance sheet upon adoption of ASU No. 2009-16, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, at January 1, 2010.

+ Details

Name:	aes_BalanceSheetAmountRecognizedAdoptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementForTransfersOfFinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix:	aes
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the cumulative effect adjustment upon intitial adoption of ASU No. 2009-17, Consolidations, related to the consolidation of certain subsidiaries.

+ Details

Name:	aes_CumulativeEffectOfInitialAdoptionOfConsolidationAccountingGuidance
Namespace Prefix:	aes
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	aes_GeneralAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum amount of interest in the accounts receivable transferred to the Purchasers under the IPL Funding accounts receivable securitization facility.

+ Details

Name:	aes_MaximumInterestTransferredToPurchasersThroughAccountsReceivableSecuritizationFacility
Namespace Prefix:	aes
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)
-Number 6
-Paragraph 25

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 18
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12
-Article 7

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate revenue, whether regulated or unregulated, derived from the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ElectricUtilityRevenue
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum useful life of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Liabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of asset (and associated liability) recognized in the transferor's statement of financial position at the end of each period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS140-4 and FIN46(R)-8
-Paragraph B12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssetsCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of the VIE's voting interest owned by the registrant. In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, trust, or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A VIE often holds financial assets, including loans or receivables, real estate or other property. A VIE may be essentially passive or it may engage in research and development or other activities on behalf of another company.

+ Details

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General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2009	Jun. 30, 2009	Mar. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010 years integer	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
General And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Details Abstract
Adoption of ASU 2009-16	$ 40								$ 40
Transfers Accounted For As Secured Borrowings Assets Carrying Amount	50								50
Maximum Interest Transferred To Purchasers Through Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility	50								50
Cumulative Effect Of Initial Adoption Of Consolidation Accounting Guidance									47
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total Assets	40,511				39,535				40,511	39,535	34,806
Electric Utility Revenue	4,318	4,020	3,923	3,920	3,665	3,529	3,163	3,083	16,181	13,440	14,508
Long-term receivables from governmental bodies	151								151
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Minimum									1
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Maximum									89
Cartagena And Cili Subsidiaries Member
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total Assets	850								850
Total Liabilities	919								919
Electric Utility Revenue									416
Cartagena Affiliate [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
AES Ownership in Variable Interest Entity									71.00%
Cili Subsidiary Member
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
AES Ownership in Variable Interest Entity									51.00%
Argentina Subsidiaries [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long-term receivables from governmental bodies	81								81
Dominican Republic Subsidiaries [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long-term receivables from governmental bodies	$ 55								$ 55