Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$ 164	$ 70	$ 270	$ 411
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	747	764	746	765
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.22	$ 0.09	$ 0.36	$ 0.54
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Stock options (Shares)	0	1	1	1
Restricted stock units (Shares)	4	3	3	3
Restricted stock units (Per Share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Income)	$ 164	$ 70	$ 270	$ 411
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Shares)	751	768	750	769
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ 0.22	$ 0.09	$ 0.36	$ 0.54
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issued under the Company's profit sharing plan			1
Exercise price exceeds market price [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			7	7
Anti-dilutive [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			1	2
Anti-dilutive [Member] | Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			15	15