Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,539	$ 1,642	$ 1,900	$ 1,624
Restricted cash	283	597
Deferred income taxes	275	166
Total current assets	7,826	7,739
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	537	1,010	1,196
Office Equipment:
Cost	30,459	30,596
Accumulated depreciation	(9,962)	(9,604)
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,151	25,112
Other Assets:
Deferred income taxes	662	666
Other Assets	2,640	2,170
Total other assets	5,989	7,560
TOTAL ASSETS	38,966	40,411	41,830
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,278	2,259
Accrued and other liabilities	2,326	2,114
Total current liabilities	6,997	7,653
Long-term Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	3,222	3,299
Total noncurrent liabilities	24,566	25,029
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,409	8,443
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	512	(150)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,286)	(2,882)
Treasury stock	(1,371)	(1,089)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,272	4,330
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	38,966	40,411
Parent Company
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	511	131	305	189
Restricted cash	81	177
Accounts and notes receivable from subsidiaries	380	708
Deferred income taxes	142	4
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	57	39
Total current assets	1,171	1,059
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries and affiliates	9,063	9,245
Office Equipment:
Cost	157	78
Accumulated depreciation	(114)	(65)
Property, plant and equipment, net	43	13
Other Assets:
Deferred financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $81 and $71, respectively)	61	75
Deferred income taxes	872	857
Other Assets	1	1
Total other assets	934	933
TOTAL ASSETS	11,211	11,250
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	25	15
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	80	49
Accrued and other liabilities	212	216
Senior notes payable—current portion	151	118
Total current liabilities	468	398
Long-term Liabilities:
Senior notes payable	4,590	5,034
Junior subordinated notes and debentures payable	517	517
Accounts and notes payable to subsidiaries	1,352	859
Other long-term liabilities	12	112
Total noncurrent liabilities	6,471	6,522
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,409	8,443
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	512	(150)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,286)	(2,882)
Treasury stock	(1,371)	(1,089)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,272	4,330
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 11,211	$ 11,250