<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-09-18</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874761</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AES</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001754413</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Moreno Leonardo</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4300 WILSON BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ARLINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>22203</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Corporate Strategy</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12131</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>878</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes Restricted Stock Unit (&quot;RSU&quot;) awards granted pursuant to The AES Corporation 2003 Long Term Compensation Plan, with such awards vesting in three equal annual installments from the date of grant if certain continuing employment conditions are satisfied. If such conditions are satisfied, each RSU entitles the holder to one share of AES Common Stock for each RSU granted.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These units were awarded pursuant to the Restoration Supplemental Retirement Plan (the &quot;Restoration Plan&quot;). Generally, units under the Restoration Plan are paid out in cash following termination of employment or later per the Restoration Plan document. Each unit represents a hypothetical AES investment equal to one share of AES Common Stock, and units under the Restoration Plan are 100% vested upon award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Leonardo Moreno</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-09-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
