Equity (Reclassifications Out of AOCL) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments									$ 358	$ 26	$ 219
Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations									(56)	(152)	16
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	206	488	133	(58)	(206)	71	167	82	769	114	(912)
Non-regulated revenue									8,272	7,835	8,187
Non-regulated cost of sales									(6,528)	(5,807)	(5,987)
Interest expense									(1,471)	(1,482)	(1,544)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)									11	(22)	(170)
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates									1,576	1,048	230
Income tax expense									(419)	(343)	(685)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates									19	25	35
Income (loss) from continuing operations	298	508	281	89	(173)	339	333	231	1,176	730	(420)
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									(387)	(446)	(540)
Regulated cost of sales									(7,530)	(6,837)	(7,594)
General and administrative expenses									187	220	274
Net Income (Loss)	298	508	275	66	(204)	223	333	199	1,147	551	(357)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation									(116)	(178)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments									4	(2)
Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations									(38)	(35)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation									(34)	(37)
Unrealized derivative losses, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments									0	(21)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation									(72)	(128)
Non-regulated revenue									30	(3)
Non-regulated cost of sales									(4)	(7)
Interest expense									(139)	(137)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)									(9)	(6)
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates									(122)	(174)
Income tax expense									26	41
Net equity in earnings of affiliates									(3)	(6)
Income (loss) from continuing operations									(99)	(139)
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									27	11
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation									(10)	(13)
Non-regulated cost of sales									(5)	(4)
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates									(38)	(78)
Income tax expense									7	26
Income (loss) from continuing operations									(31)	(52)
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									19	39
Regulated cost of sales									(33)	(73)
General and administrative expenses									0	(1)
Amortization Of Defined Benefit Pension Actuarial Loss, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations									2	0
Net Income (Loss)									$ (29)	$ (52)