Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Equity Tables [Abstract]

Components Of Comprehensive Income

				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
				2011		2010		2011		2010
				(in millions)				(in millions)
Net income				$	175	$	397	$	1,085	$	1,228
	Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax benefit
		of $0, $0, $1 and $4, respectively			(1)		-		(3)		(6)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense)
		of $42, $(15), $28 and $(7), respectively			(589)		285		(327)		519
	Derivative activity:
		Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense)
			of $(13), $(3), $(15) and $(22), respectively		53		13		112		81
		Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit
			of $68, $23, $93 and $82, respectively		(236)		(99)		(305)		(336)
	Total net change in fair value of derivatives				(183)		(86)		(193)		(255)
	Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of income tax (expense)
		of $(2), $(1), $(6) and $(3), respectively			5		1		12		6
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(768)		200		(511)		264
Comprehensive income (loss)					(593)		597		574		1,492
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(1)					12		(385)		(651)		(789)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation				$	(581)	$	212	$	(77)	$	703

Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010
	(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	2,002	$	1,824
Unrealized derivative losses, net		511		344
Unfunded pension obligation		212		216
Securities available-for-sale		2		(1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	2,727	$	2,383

Schedule Of Net Income Attributable To Parent And Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests [Text Block]

				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,
				2011		2010		2011		2010
				(in millions)
Net (loss) income attributable to The AES Corporation				$	(131)	$	114	$	267	$	445
	Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests:
		Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital
			for sale of subsidiary shares		19		-		19		-
	Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest				19		-		19		-
Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation
	and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests			$	(112)	$	114	$	286	$	445