Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 9,729	$ 10,413
Net income	515	483
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	141	128
Actuarial gains and losses and amortization of prior service costs, net of income tax	6	3
Change in derivative fair value, including a reclassification to earnings, net of income tax	107	71
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	6	1
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	14	16
Disposition of businesses	37
Acquisition of treasury stock		63
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	19	23
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	1
Ending Balance	10,471	11,042
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,875		1,967
Unrealized derivative losses, net	444		534
Unfunded pension obligation	256		257
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,575		2,758
Net Income Attributable To Parent And Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	341	224
The AES Corporation Stockholders' Equity
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	5,946	6,473
Net income	341	224
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax		(1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	92	74
Actuarial gains and losses and amortization of prior service costs, net of income tax	1	1
Change in derivative fair value, including a reclassification to earnings, net of income tax	90	61
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Disposition of businesses	0
Acquisition of treasury stock		63
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	19	23
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0
Ending Balance	6,489	6,792
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	3,783	3,940
Net income	174	259
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax		0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	49	54
Actuarial gains and losses and amortization of prior service costs, net of income tax	5	2
Change in derivative fair value, including a reclassification to earnings, net of income tax	17	10
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	6	1
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	14	16
Disposition of businesses	37
Acquisition of treasury stock		0
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	0	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	1
Ending Balance	$ 3,982	$ 4,250