Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share Tables [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

			December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010					December 31, 2009
			Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income from continuing operations
		attributable to The AES Corporation
		common stockholders	$	451	778	$	0.58	$	476	769	$	0.62	$	718	667	$	1.08
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options			-	2		-		-	2		-		-	1		-
	Restricted stock units			-	3		-		-	3		-		-	2		(0.01)
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE			$	451	783	$	0.58	$	476	774	$	0.62	$	718	670	$	1.07