Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		27 Months Ended
	Jul. 07, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				$ 9,729	$ 10,413
Net income (loss)		(1,402)	175	(680)	1,085
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax		0	(1)	0	(3)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(25)	(590)	(269)	(328)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		(6)	(5)	(19)	(12)
Total change in fair value of derivatives, net of income tax		(28)	(183)	(14)	(193)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests				12	9
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				(625)	(990)
Disposition of businesses				(37)	(1)
Acquisition of treasury stock				(301)	(225)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax				40	43
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests				(8)	0
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.04 per share)				(30)	0
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest				0	35
Ending Balance		7,836	9,857	7,836	9,857	7,836
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment		2,125		2,125		2,125		1,967
Unrealized derivative losses, net		528		528		528		534
Unfunded pension obligation		252		252		252		257
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,905		2,905		2,905		2,758
Dividend
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared		$ 0.04	$ 0	$ 0.04	$ 0
Stock Repurchase Plan [Abstract]
Total repurchase amount authorized	500						680
Acquisition of treasury stock (shares)		6,046,021		24,790,384		58,715,189
Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method Excluding Commissions		71		301		680
Treasury Stock Acquired Average Cost Per Share		$ 11.71		$ 12.16		$ 11.58
Treasury stock, shares		66,437,231		66,437,231		66,437,231		42,386,961
The AES Corporation Stockholders' Equity
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				5,946	6,473
Net income (loss)				(1,087)	267
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax				0	(3)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax				(158)	(178)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax				5	4
Total change in fair value of derivatives, net of income tax				6	(167)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests				0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				0	0
Disposition of businesses				0	0
Acquisition of treasury stock				(301)	(225)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax				40	43
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests				3	0
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.04 per share)				(30)	0
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest				0	19
Ending Balance		4,424	6,233	4,424	6,233	4,424
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				3,783	3,940
Net income (loss)				407	818
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax				0	0
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax				(111)	(150)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax				14	8
Total change in fair value of derivatives, net of income tax				(20)	(26)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests				12	9
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				(625)	(990)
Disposition of businesses				(37)	(1)
Acquisition of treasury stock				0	0
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax				0	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests				(11)	0
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.04 per share)				0	0
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest				0	16
Ending Balance		$ 3,412	$ 3,624	$ 3,412	$ 3,624	$ 3,412