Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Parent (Statement of Operations) (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
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest income									$ 365	$ 275	$ 348
General and administrative expenses									(187)	(220)	(274)
Other income									124	125	98
Other expense									(68)	(76)	(82)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(261)	(229)	(8)
Interest expense									(1,471)	(1,482)	(1,544)
Income tax benefit (expense)									(419)	(343)	(685)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	206	488	133	(58)	(206)	71	167	82	769	114	(912)
Parent Company
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue from subsidiaries and affiliates									29	32	20
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and affiliates									1,313	498	(437)
Interest income									59	66	119
General and administrative expenses									(161)	(171)	(213)
Other income									8	14	99
Other expense									(30)	(11)	(15)
Loss on extinguishment of debt									(193)	(165)	(4)
Interest expense									(422)	(436)	(502)
Income (loss) before income taxes									603	(173)	(933)
Income tax benefit (expense)									166	287	21
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION									$ 769	$ 114	$ (912)