Debt (Non-recourse Debt Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Construction line of credit facility remaining borrowing capacity	$ 1,900,000,000
Other line of credit remaining borrowing capacity	2,300,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	13,000,000	$ 182,000,000	$ 261,000,000
Restricted cash and debt service reserves	535,000,000	$ 513,000,000
Restricted net assets	2,500,000,000
Non-Recourse Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	3,028,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,626,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | Gener Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	633,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(314,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	7,000,000
Non-Recourse Debt | IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	688,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(455,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | DPL Subsidiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	460,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(593,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,000,000)
Non-Recourse Debt | Andres [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	243,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(180,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(2,000,000)
Non-Recourse Debt | Los Mina [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	172,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | Eletropaulo [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	73,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(202,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | Wind Generation Holdings [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	130,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(65,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | Maritza [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	18,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(153,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0
Non-Recourse Debt | Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount	611,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(664,000,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (2,000,000)