Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Selected Quarterly Financial Information Abstract
Revenue	$ 4,269	$ 4,345	$ 4,471	$ 4,189	$ 4,230	$ 3,924	$ 3,838	$ 3,836	$ 17,274	$ 15,828	$ 13,110
Gross margin	1,095	1,029	1,005	1,005	1,030	963	989	954	4,134	3,936	3,357
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	409	208	435	489	385	285	422	378	1,541	1,470	1,804
Discontinued operations, net of tax	36	(33)	(8)	(6)	(554)	112	7	24
NET INCOME	445	175	427	483	(169)	397	429	402	1,530	1,059	1,755
Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	(209)	(131)	174	224	(436)	114	144	187	58	9	658
Impairment Expense Pre Tax Total	$ 62	$ 147	$ 33		$ 95	$ 315
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.13	$ (0.08)	$ 0.24	$ 0.30	$ 0.16	$ 0.05	$ 0.19	$ 0.25	$ 0.59	$ 0.63	$ 1.09
Discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ (0.40)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.71)	$ 0.09	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ (0.52)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.10)
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to The AES Corporation	$ (0.27)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.22	$ 0.28	$ (0.55)	$ 0.14	$ 0.18	$ 0.27	$ 0.07	$ 0.01	$ 0.99
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.12	$ (0.08)	$ 0.24	$ 0.30	$ 0.16	$ 0.05	$ 0.19	$ 0.25	$ 0.59	$ 0.63	$ 1.08
Discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ (0.39)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.71)	$ 0.09	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ (0.52)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.10)
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to The AES Corporation	$ (0.27)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.22	$ 0.28	$ (0.55)	$ 0.14	$ 0.18	$ 0.27	$ 0.07	$ 0.01	$ 0.98