Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt securities:
Unsecured debentures	$ 501aes_AvailableForSaleUnsecuredDebentures	$ 435aes_AvailableForSaleUnsecuredDebentures
Certificates of deposit	151	151
Government debt securities	57	25
Subtotal	709	611
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	25aes_AvailableForSaleMutualFunds	44aes_AvailableForSaleMutualFunds
Subtotal	25	44
Total available for sale	734us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities	655us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	15aes_TradingSecuritiesMutualFunds	13aes_TradingSecuritiesMutualFunds
Total trading	15us-gaap_TradingSecurities	13us-gaap_TradingSecurities
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	280	240
TOTAL ASSETS	1,029us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure	908us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	514	371
TOTAL LIABILITIES	514us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	371us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Interest rate derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	98
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	416	322
Cross currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	5
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	29	11
Foreign currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	236	113
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	52	21
Commodity derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	44	24
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	17	17
Level 1
Debt securities:
Unsecured debentures	0	0
Certificates of deposit	0	0
Government debt securities	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Total available for sale	0	0
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	15	13
Total trading	15	13
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
TOTAL ASSETS	15	13
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
TOTAL LIABILITIES	0	0
Level 1 \| Interest rate derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
Level 1 \| Cross currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
Level 1 \| Foreign currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
Level 1 \| Commodity derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
Level 2
Debt securities:
Unsecured debentures	501	435
Certificates of deposit	151	151
Government debt securities	57	25
Subtotal	709	611
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	25	44
Subtotal	25	44
Total available for sale	734	655
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	0	0
Total trading	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	55	136
TOTAL ASSETS	789	791
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	294	263
TOTAL LIABILITIES	294	263
Level 2 \| Interest rate derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	98
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	206	221
Level 2 \| Cross currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	5
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	29	11
Level 2 \| Foreign currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	18	15
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	43	16
Level 2 \| Commodity derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	37	18
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	16	15
Level 3
Debt securities:
Unsecured debentures	0	0
Certificates of deposit	0	0
Government debt securities	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	0	0
Subtotal	0	0
Total available for sale	0	0
Equity securities:
Mutual funds	0	0
Total trading	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	225	104
TOTAL ASSETS	225	104
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	220	108
TOTAL LIABILITIES	220	108
Level 3 \| Interest rate derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	210	101
Level 3 \| Cross currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	0	0
Level 3 \| Foreign currency derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	218	98
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	9	5
Level 3 \| Commodity derivatives
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	7	6
DERIVATIVES:
Total derivatives	$ 1	$ 2

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