Inventory (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Inventory Net Abstract
Coal Fuel Oil And Other Raw Materials	$ 276	$ 229
Spare Parts And Supplies	286	250
Total	$ 562	$ 479
Percentage Of FIFO Inventory	23.00%
Percentage Of Weighted Average Cost Inventory	75.00%

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of components of assembled products that can be sold directly or indirectly through sales of assembled products and products used directly or indirectly in the manufacturing or production process, which may or may not become part of the final product. May also include items used in the storage, presentation or transportation of physical goods.

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

- Definition

Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unprocessed items to be consumed in the manufacturing or production process. Also includes purchased parts that will be used as components of a finished product.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of FIFO (first in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageOfFIFOInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of weighted average cost inventory present at the reporting date when inventory is valued using different valuation methods.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageOfWeightedAverageCostInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant