Impairments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Asset Impairment Expense Line Items
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 33	$ 1	$ 33	$ 1
Fair Value	33		33
Carrying Value	66		66
Kelanitissa [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense Line Items
Asset Impairment Charges	33
Fair Value	33		33
Carrying Value	$ 66		$ 66

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.

Name:	aes_AssetImpairmentExpenseLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	aes
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of the assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity before the recognition of impairment charges.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 45, 46, 47

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration