Equity (Reclassifications Out of AOCL) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue																		$ 6,957	$ 7,303	$ 8,272
Regulated cost of sales																		(6,078)	(5,764)	(6,615)
Non-regulated cost of sales																		(5,075)	(5,533)	(6,529)
General and administrative expenses																		194	196	187
Interest expense																		(1,431)	(1,344)	(1,451)
Other Income																		65	82	121
Gain on sale of businesses																		29	29	358
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)																		(15)	107	11
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates																		137	1,154	1,443
Income tax benefit (expense)																		188	(472)	(371)
Net equity in earnings of affiliates																		36	105	19
Income from continuing operations		$ 56	[1]	$ 230	[1]	$ (8)	[1]	$ 83	[1]	$ 54	[2]	$ 198	[2]	$ 274	[2]	$ 261	[2]	361	787	1,091
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations																		(1,119)	0	(55)
Net Income		(693)		229		(387)		74		41		203		264		254		(777)	762	1,147
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests																		(364)	(456)	(386)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$ (949)		$ 175		$ (482)		$ 126		$ (85)		$ 180		$ 69		$ 142		(1,130)	306	769
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	[3]																	(1,021)	(50)	(116)
Available-for-Sale securities, net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain on sale of businesses	[3]																	0	0	4
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations	[3]																	(992)	0	(38)
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	[3]																	(992)	0	(34)
Unrealized derivative gains (losses), net | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	[3]																	111	43	30
Non-regulated cost of sales	[3]																	(57)	(14)	(4)
Interest expense	[3]																	(107)	(112)	(139)
Gain on sale of businesses	[3]																	0	(4)	0
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	[3]																	8	12	(9)
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	[3]																	(45)	(75)	(122)
Income tax benefit (expense)	[3]																	8	11	26
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	[3]																	0	(2)	(3)
Income from continuing operations	[3]																	(37)	(66)	(99)
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	[3]																	9	18	27
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	[3]																	(28)	(48)	(72)
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]
Regulated cost of sales	[3]																	(17)	(24)	(32)
Non-regulated cost of sales	[3]																	0	2	(5)
General and administrative expenses	[3]																	(1)	(2)	0
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	[3]																	(19)	(24)	(37)
Income tax benefit (expense)	[3]																	3	9	7
Income from continuing operations	[3]																	(16)	(15)	(30)
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations	[3]																	6	(1)	1
Net Income	[3]																	(10)	(16)	(29)
Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	[3]																	9	14	19
Net income attributable to The AES Corporation	[3]																	(1)	(2)	$ (10)
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]
Other Income																		$ (1)	$ 0

[1] Includes pretax impairment expense of $159 million, $235 million, $79 million and $625 million, for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2016, respectively. See Note 20—Asset Impairment Expense for further discussion.

[2] Includes pretax impairment expense of $8 million, $37 million, $231 million and $326 million, for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. See Note 9—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Note 20—Asset Impairment Expense for further discussion.

[3] Details About December 31,AOCL Components Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations 2016 2015 2014Foreign currency translation adjustment, net Gain on sale of businesses $— $— $4 Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations (992) — (38) Net income attributable to The AES Corporation $(992) $— $(34)Unrealized derivative gains (losses), net Non-regulated revenue $111 $43 $30 Non-regulated cost of sales (57) (14) (4) Interest expense (107) (112) (139) Gain on sale of businesses — (4) — Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) 8 12 (9) Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (45) (75) (122) Income tax expense 8 11 26 Net equity in earnings of affiliates — (2) (3) Income from continuing operations (37) (66) (99) Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests 9 18 27 Net income attributable to The AES Corporation $(28)$(48) $(72)Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net Regulated cost of sales $(17) $(24) $(32) Non-regulated cost of sales — 2 (5) General and administrative expenses (1) (2) — Other Expense (1) — — Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (19)(24) (37) Income tax expense 3 9 7 Income from continuing operations (16)(15) (30) Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued operations 6 (1) 1 Net Income (10) (16) (29) Less: (Income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests 9 14 19 Net income attributable to The AES Corporation $(1)$(2) $(10)Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests $(1,021)$(50) $(116)