Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue:
Regulated	$ 9,925	$ 9,504	$ 8,910
Non-Regulated	8,216	7,419	6,533
Total Revenue	18,141	16,923	15,443
Cost of Sales:
Regulated	(8,433)	(7,134)	(6,497)
Non-Regulated	(5,994)	(5,726)	(5,126)
Total cost of sales	(14,427)	(12,860)	(11,623)
Gross margin	3,714	4,063	3,820
General and administrative expenses	(301)	(391)	(391)
Interest expense	(1,572)	(1,553)	(1,449)
Interest income	349	399	407
Other expense	(93)	(153)	(232)
Other income	105	149	100
Gain on sale of investments	219	8	0
Goodwill impairment	(1,817)	(17)	(21)
Asset impairment expense	(73)	(173)	(304)
Foreign currency transaction losses	(167)	(39)	(33)
Other non-operating expense	(50)	(82)	(7)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	314	2,211	1,890
Income tax expense	(708)	(634)	(593)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	34	(2)	184
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(360)	1,575	1,481
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $3, $(26) and $(284), respectively	(13)	(131)	(486)
Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, net of income tax expense of $68, $300 and $132, respectively	16	86	64
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(357)	1,530	1,059
Noncontrolling interests:
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(555)	(1,083)	(985)
Less: Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(389)	(65)
Total net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(555)	(1,472)	(1,050)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(912)	58	9
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(915)	492	496
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	3	(434)	(487)
Net income (loss)	(912)	58	9
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ (1.21)	$ 0.63	$ 0.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0	$ (0.56)	$ (0.63)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ (1.21)	$ 0.07	$ 0.01
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ (1.21)	$ 0.63	$ 0.64
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0	$ (0.56)	$ (0.63)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ (1.21)	$ 0.07	$ 0.01
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.08	$ 0	$ 0
Parent Company
Cost of Sales:
General and administrative expenses	(133)	(241)	(261)
Interest expense	(502)	(444)	(461)
Interest income	119	158	279
Income tax expense	21	174	(172)
Noncontrolling interests:
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(912)	58	9
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:
Net income (loss)	$ (912)	$ 58	$ 9