Name:	aes_ConstructionLineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The current redemption value (per security) of the term convertible preferred securities

No definition available.

Name:	aes_CurrentRedemptionValueOfTermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrust
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of outstanding debt or borrowing associated with any securities or credit agreement for which there has been a default in principal, interest, sinking fund, or redemption provisions, or any breach of covenant that existed at the end of the period and subsequently has not been cured.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DebtDefaultAmount
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_DebtDetailsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percent added to the base rate to get to the interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePlusBaseRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The percent added to current LIBOR to get to the interest rate at the end of the reporting period

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePlusLiborAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Required repurchase price of debt upon a change of control, as a percent of principal.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DebtInstrumentRepurchasePricePercent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Total debt, including both recourse and non-recourse debt balances.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_FairValueDebtTotal
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The range of expiration dates for interest rate derivatives (swaps and options) on non-recourse debt

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateDerivativesRangeOfExpirationDates
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount paid to settle interest rate locks.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateLockSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The maximum of the range of interest rates on variable rate non-recourse debt fixed by interest rate option agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateOptionsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The minimum of the range of interest rates on variable rate non-recourse debt fixed by interest rate option agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateOptionsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum of the range of interest rates on variable rate non-recourse debt fixed by interest rate swap agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateSwapsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The minimum of the range of interest rates on variable rate non-recourse debt fixed by interest rate swap agreements.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_InterestRateSwapsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The amount of junior subordinated convertible debentures purchased using the proceeds from issuance of the term convertible preferred securities

No definition available.

Name:	aes_JuniorSubordinatedConvertibleDebenturesPurchasedWithProceedsFromissuanceOfTermConvertiblePreferredSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtCovenantsRestrictionsAndDefaultsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The current portion of the entity's non-recourse debt. Non-recourse debt is secured by the capital stock, physical assets, contracts and cash flows of the related subsidiary. The risk is limited to the respective subsidiary business and is without recourse to the Parent Company and other subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_NonrecourseDebtDefaultLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of non-recourse debt classified as current and long-term liabilities of held for sale and discontinued businesses

No definition available.

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtHeldForSaleOrDiscontinuedOperations
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The non-current portion of the entity's non-recourse debt. Non-recourse debt is secured by the capital stock, physical assets, contracts and cash flows of the related subsidiary. The risk is limited to the respective subsidiary business and is without recourse to the Parent Company and other subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtOtherDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Non-recourse debt is secured by the capital stock, physical assets, contracts and cash flows of the related subsidiary. The risk is limited to the respective subsidiary business and is without recourse to the Parent Company and other subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtTotal
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_NonRecourseDebtTransactionsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under credit facilities at subsidiaries (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding) for general business use, including to support working capital, debt service reserves and other business needs excluding construction

No definition available.

Name:	aes_OtherLineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtCovenantsAndGuaranteesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The current portion of the entity's recourse debt. Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates' non-recourse debt.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The non-current portion of the entity's recourse debt. Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates' non-recourse debt.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Recourse debt is direct borrowings by the Parent Company that is structurally subordinate to the affiliates non-recourse debt.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtTotal
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_RecourseDebtTransactionsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The total current and noncurrent amount of restricted cash maintained under in accordance with certain covenants of existing debt agreements

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RestrictedCashAndDebtServiceReserves
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of net assets of subsidiaries restricted under various lender and governmental provisions that restrict the ability of the subsidiaries to transfer net assets to the parent company

No definition available.

Name:	aes_RestrictedNetAssets
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The current price per share of conversion of the term convertible preferred securities into common stock of the company

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesCommonStockConversionPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The current ratio for conversion of the term convertible preferred securities into common stock of the company

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesCommonStockConversionRatio
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The annual dividend rate of the term convertible preferred securities

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesDividendRate
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The aggregate number of term convertible preferred securities issued by a wholly owned special purpose business trust

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrust
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The interest rate on the term convertible preferred securities issued by a wholly owned special purpose business trust

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrustParPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The total proceeds from issuance of term convertible preferred securities issued by a wholly owned special purpose buisness trust

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrustTotalProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The maximum number of shares of common stock that the company could be required to issue should all holders of the term convertible preferred securities decide to convert their securities.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesMaximumPotentialSharesIssuedUponConversion
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum number of quarters that dividends on the term convertible preferred securities may be deferred if so elected

No definition available.

Name:	aes_TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesNumberOfQuartersDividendsMayBeDeferred
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	aes_TermConvertibleTrustSecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net of assets and liabilities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 09

-Paragraph 19

-Article 6

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09.6,7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606914-122999

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-05.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e604008-122996

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 05

-Paragraph 4

-Article 6

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

When presenting a range of maturity dates, the latest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

When presenting a range of maturity dates, the earliest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeStart
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Description of covenants that limit or prohibit certain actions or activities without the lender's prior consent within a specified period of time or until certain specified targets are achieved for example, reduction of the debt or an increase in net worth to a specified amount).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 4

-Section 08

-Paragraph e

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRestrictiveCovenants
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Aggregate notional amount of interest rate derivatives, which relates to the currency amount specified in the interest rate derivative instruments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959