Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Equity Tables [Abstract]

Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]

			Three Months Ended March 31, 2013							Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
			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			$	4,569	$	2,945	$	7,514		$	5,946	$	3,783	$	9,729
Net income				82		117		199			341		174		515
Total foreign currency translation adjustment,
	net of income tax			(42)		7		(35)			92		49		141
Total change in derivative fair value,
	net of income tax			7		1		8			90		17		107
Total pension adjustments,
	net of income tax			3		11		14			1		5		6
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests				-		55		55			-		6		6
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				-		(27)		(27)			-		(14)		(14)
Disposition of businesses				-		-		-			-		(37)		(37)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation
	benefit plans, net of income tax			14		-		14			19		-		19
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from
	noncontrolling interests			-		(1)		(1)			-		(1)		(1)
Balance at March 31			$	4,633	$	3,108	$	7,741		$	6,489	$	3,982	$	10,471

Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

		Unrealized derivative losses, net		Unfunded pension obligations, net		Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		Total
			(in millions)
Balance at January 1		$	(481)	$	(382)	$	(2,057)	$	(2,920)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(15)		-		(39)		(54)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
	comprehensive loss		22		3		(3)		22
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		7		3		(42)		(32)
Balance at March 31		$	(474)	$	(379)	$	(2,099)	$	(2,952)

Schedule Of Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (1)
			(in millions)
Unrealized derivative losses, net
	Interest expense	$	(35)
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7
	Non-regulated cost of sales		(1)
	Income from continuing operations before
	taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(29)
	Income tax expense		7
	Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(2)
	Income from continuing operations		(24)
	Income from continuing operations attributable
	to noncontrolling interests		2
	Net income attributable to the AES Corporation	$	(22)
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net
	Non-regulated cost of sales	$	(1)
	Regulated cost of sales		(20)
	Income from continuing operations before
	taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(21)
	Income tax expense		7
	Income from continuing operations		(14)
	Income from continuing operations attributable
	to noncontrolling interests		11
	Net income attributable to the AES Corporation	$	(3)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
	Gain on sale of investment	$	3
	Net income attributable to the AES Corporation	$	3
Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests		$	(22)