Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (357)	$ 1,530	$ 1,059
Available-for-sale securities activity:
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $3, respectively	1	1	(5)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $0, respectively	1	2	0
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	(1)	(5)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $18 and $(11), respectively	(247)	(484)	468
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $0, respectively	(37)	(188)	(142)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(210)	(296)	610
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $35, $108 and $56, respectively	(134)	(379)	(242)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(56), $(22) and $(41), respectively	(177)	(137)	(162)
Total change in fair value of derivatives	43	(242)	(80)
Pension activity:
Prior service cost for the period, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, and $0, respectively	1	0	0
Net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $300, $117 and $57, respectively	(587)	(223)	(111)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(15), $(6) and $(12), respectively	(24)	(13)	(23)
Total pension adjustments	(564)	(210)	(88)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(731)	(749)	437
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(1,088)	781	1,496
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	14	(1,098)	(1,108)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(1,074)	(317)	388
Parent Company
Available-for-sale securities activity:
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $3, respectively	1	1	(5)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $0, respectively	1	2	0
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	(1)	(5)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $18 and $(11), respectively	(127)	(297)	383
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0 and $0, respectively	(37)	(154)	(103)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(90)	(143)	486
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $35, $108 and $56, respectively	(108)	(311)	(252)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(56), $(22) and $(41), respectively	(161)	(121)	(172)
Total change in fair value of derivatives	53	(190)	(80)
Pension activity:
Prior service cost for the period, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, and $0, respectively	1	0	0
Net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $300, $117 and $57, respectively	(130)	(43)	(23)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(15), $(6) and $(12), respectively	(6)	(2)	(1)
Total pension adjustments	(125)	(41)	(22)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(162)	(375)	379
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ (1,074)	$ (317)	$ 388