Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Equity Tables [Abstract]

Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]

			Six Months Ended June 30, 2012							Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
			The AES							The AES
			Corporation							Corporation
			Stockholders'		Noncontrolling		Total			Stockholders'		Noncontrolling		Total
			Equity		Interests		Equity			Equity		Interests		Equity
		(in millions)							(in millions)
Balance at January 1			$	5,946	$	3,783	$	9,729		$	6,473	$	3,940	$	10,413
Net income				481		241		722			398		512		910
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale
	securities, net of income tax			-		-		-			(2)		-		(2)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment,
	net of income tax			(134)		(110)		(244)			118		144		262
Total pension adjustments,
	net of income tax			4		9		13			2		5		7
Total change in fair value of derivatives,
	net of income tax			23		(9)		14			(13)		3		(10)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests				-		12		12			-		3		3
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				-		(507)		(507)			-		(679)		(679)
Disposition of businesses				-		(37)		(37)			-		(2)		(2)
Acquisition of treasury stock				(231)		-		(231)			(98)		-		(98)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation
	benefit plans, net of income tax			34		-		34			33		-		33
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from
	noncontrolling interests			-		(4)		(4)			-		-		-
Balance at June 30			$	6,123	$	3,378	$	9,501		$	6,911	$	3,926	$	10,837

Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	June 30,		December 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	2,101	$	1,967
Unrealized derivative losses, net		511		534
Unfunded pension obligation		253		257
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	2,865	$	2,758