Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$ 345	$ 237
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	766,000,000	787,000,000
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.45	$ 0.30
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Convertible securities (Income)	6	0
Convertible securities (Shares)	15,000,000	0
Stock options (Shares)	1,000,000	2,000,000
Restricted stock units (Shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Restricted stock units (Per Share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (INCOME)	$ 351	$ 237
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (SHARES)	785,000,000	792,000,000
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ 0.44	$ 0.30
Additional options outstanding that could potentially dilute EPS in the future	6,599,286	16,253,344