1.0.0.3 false Statement Of Cash Flows Indirect (USD $) In Millions false 1 $ false false iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 iso4217_USD_per_shares Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 false 2 $ false false iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 iso4217_USD_per_shares Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 false 3 $ false false iso4217_USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 iso4217_USD_per_shares Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 5 OPERATING ACTIVITIES: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 6 Net income 4 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 1755000000 1755 false false 2 true true 2032000000 2032 false false 3 true true 357000000 357 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 7 Adjustments to net income: 4 us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 8 Depreciation and amortization 5 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1049000000 1049 false false 2 false true 1001000000 1001 false false 3 false true 942000000 942 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 9 Loss (gain) from sale of investments and impairment expense 5 aes_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestmentsAndImpairmentCharges aes false credit duration monetary Cash flow statement add back for the net realized gain or loss on investments sold during the period, which, for cash flow... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 57000000 57 false false 2 false true -712000000 -712 false false 3 false true 333000000 333 false false Cash flow statement add back for the net realized gain or loss on investments sold during the period, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities as well as the charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value. No authoritative reference available. false 10 Loss (gain) on disposal and impairment write-down-discontinued operations 5 us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 150000000 150 false false 2 false true -7000000 -7 false false 3 false true 669000000 669 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Provision for deferred taxes 5 us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 15000000 15 false false 2 false true 160000000 160 false false 3 false true 210000000 210 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Contingencies 5 us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -122000000 -122 false false 2 false true 52000000 52 false false 3 false true 196000000 196 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 13 (Gain) loss on the extinguishment of debt 5 us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -6000000 -6 false false 2 false true 56000000 56 false false 3 false true 92000000 92 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Noncontrolling interest of discontinued operations 5 aes_NoncontrollingInterestOfDiscontinuedOperations aes false credit duration monetary Noncontrolling Interest Of Discontinued Operations false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -4000000 -4 false false 3 false true -21000000 -21 false false Noncontrolling Interest Of Discontinued Operations No authoritative reference available. false 15 Other 5 us-gaap_AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -99000000 -99 false false 2 false true 127000000 127 false false 3 false true -13000000 -13 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 4 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 17 Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 62000000 62 false false 2 false true -451000000 -451 false false 3 false true -306000000 -306 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 18 Increase in inventory 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -34000000 -34 false false 2 false true -83000000 -83 false false 3 false true -26000000 -26 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 19 Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 149000000 149 false false 2 false true -61000000 -61 false false 3 false true 362000000 362 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 20 Increase in other assets 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -177000000 -177 false false 2 false true -467000000 -467 false false 3 false true -134000000 -134 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 21 (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -308000000 -308 false false 2 false true 260000000 260 false false 3 false true -322000000 -322 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 22 Increase (decrease) in income taxes and other income tax payables, net 5 aes_IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxesNet aes false debit duration monetary The net change during the period in the amount of cash payments due to taxing authorities for taxes that are based on the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 88000000 88 false false 2 false true 226000000 226 false false 3 false true -140000000 -140 false false The net change during the period in the amount of cash payments due to taxing authorities for taxes that are based on the reporting entity's earnings and receivable from taxing authorities for refunds of overpayments or recoveries of income taxes. No authoritative reference available. false 23 (Decrease) increase in other liabilities 5 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -366000000 -366 false false 2 false true 32000000 32 false false 3 false true 155000000 155 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 24 Net cash provided by operating activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 2213000000 2213 false false 2 false true 2161000000 2161 false false 3 false true 2354000000 2354 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 25 INVESTING ACTIVITIES: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 26 Capital expenditures 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -2520000000 -2520 false false 2 false true -2850000000 -2850 false false 3 false true -2425000000 -2425 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 27 Acquisitions-net of cash acquired 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -1135000000 -1135 false false 3 false true -315000000 -315 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 28 Proceeds from the sale of businesses 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 2000000 2 false false 2 false true 1328000000 1328 false false 3 false true 1136000000 1136 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 29 Proceeds from the sale of assets 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 17000000 17 false false 2 false true 105000000 105 false false 3 false true 16000000 16 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 30 Sale of short-term investments 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 4526000000 4526 false false 2 false true 5150000000 5150 false false 3 false true 2492000000 2492 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 31 Purchase of short-term investments 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -4248000000 -4248 false false 2 false true -5469000000 -5469 false false 3 false true -2982000000 -2982 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 32 Decrease (increase) in restricted cash 4 us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 302000000 302 false false 2 false true -295000000 -295 false false 3 false true -28000000 -28 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 33 Decrease (increase) in debt service reserves and other assets 4 aes_DecreaseIncreaseInDebtServiceReservesAndOtherAssets aes false credit duration monetary The net change during the reporting period in the amount of Debt service reserves and other assets as reported in the... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 185000000 185 false false 2 false true -100000000 -100 false false 3 false true 122000000 122 false false The net change during the reporting period in the amount of Debt service reserves and other assets as reported in the statement of cash flows. No authoritative reference available. false 34 Affiliate advances and equity investments 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -155000000 -155 false false 2 false true -240000000 -240 false false 3 false true -32000000 -32 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 35 Loan advances 4 aes_LoanAdvances aes false credit duration monetary The cash outflow from advancing money to others in the form of loans. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -173000000 -173 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false The cash outflow from advancing money to others in the form of loans. No authoritative reference available. false 36 Other investing 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -26000000 -26 false false 2 false true 98000000 98 false false 3 false true 46000000 46 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 37 Net cash used in investing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -1917000000 -1917 false false 2 false true -3581000000 -3581 false false 3 false true -1970000000 -1970 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 38 FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 3 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 39 Borrowings (repayments) under the revolving credit facilities, net 4 aes_RepaymentsOfProceedsFromRevolvingCreditFacilities aes false debit duration monetary The net cash inflows (outflows) associated with the entity's revolving credit facilities. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 11000000 11 false false 2 false true 298000000 298 false false 3 false true -85000000 -85 false false The net cash inflows (outflows) associated with the entity's revolving credit facilities. No authoritative reference available. false 40 Issuance of recourse debt 4 aes_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfRecourseDebt aes false debit duration monetary Cash inflows associated with the issuance of recourse debt. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 503000000 503 false false 2 false true 625000000 625 false false 3 false true 2000000000 2000 false false Cash inflows associated with the issuance of recourse debt. No authoritative reference available. false 41 Issuance of non-recourse debt 4 aes_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfNonrecourseDebt aes false debit duration monetary Cash inflows associated with the issuance of non-recourse debt. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1997000000 1997 false false 2 false true 2158000000 2158 false false 3 false true 2297000000 2297 false false Cash inflows associated with the issuance of non-recourse debt. No authoritative reference available. false 42 Repayments of recourse debt 4 aes_RepaymentsOfRecourseDebt aes false credit duration monetary Cash outflows associated with repayments of recourse debt. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -154000000 -154 false false 2 false true -1037000000 -1037 false false 3 false true -1315000000 -1315 false false Cash outflows associated with repayments of recourse debt. No authoritative reference available. false 43 Repayments of non-recourse debt 4 aes_RepaymentsOfNonrecourseDebt aes false credit duration monetary Cash outflows associated with repayments of non-recourse debt. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -1008000000 -1008 false false 2 false true -1260000000 -1260 false false 3 false true -2251000000 -2251 false false Cash outflows associated with repayments of non-recourse debt. No authoritative reference available. false 44 Payments for deferred financing costs 4 us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -91000000 -91 false false 2 false true -82000000 -82 false false 3 false true -97000000 -97 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 45 Distributions to noncontrolling interests 4 us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -846000000 -846 false false 2 false true -597000000 -597 false false 3 false true -699000000 -699 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 46 Contributions from noncontrolling interests 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 190000000 190 false false 2 false true 410000000 410 false false 3 false true 374000000 374 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 47 Financed capital expenditures 4 aes_PaymentsForFinancedCapitalExpenditures aes false credit duration monetary Cash outflows associated with the repayment of financed capital expenditures (operating payables outstanding for greater than... false false false false false false false false false 1 false true -18000000 -18 false false 2 false true -47000000 -47 false false 3 false true -35000000 -35 false false Cash outflows associated with the repayment of financed capital expenditures (operating payables outstanding for greater than 90 days). No authoritative reference available. false 48 Purchase of treasury stock 4 us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true -143000000 -143 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 49 Other financing 4 us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 26000000 26 false false 2 false true 37000000 37 false false 3 false true 55000000 55 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 50 Net cash provided by financing activities 4 us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 610000000 610 false false 2 false true 362000000 362 false false 3 false true 244000000 244 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 51 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 3 us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 22000000 22 false false 2 false true -96000000 -96 false false 3 false true 69000000 69 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 52 Total increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 928000000 928 false false 2 false true -1154000000 -1154 false false 3 false true 697000000 697 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. true 53 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false true false false 1 false true 881000000 881 false false 2 false true 2035000000 2035 false false 3 false true 1338000000 1338 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 54 Cash and cash equivalents, ending 3 us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false true false 1 false true 1809000000 1809 false false 2 false true 881000000 881 false false 3 false true 2035000000 2035 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 55 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES: 3 us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 56 Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized 4 us-gaap_InterestPaidNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 1395000000 1395 false false 2 false true 1615000000 1615 false false 3 false true 1762000000 1762 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 57 Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds 4 us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 484000000 484 false false 2 false true 465000000 465 false false 3 false true 621000000 621 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 58 SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 3 us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false 2 false false 0 0 false false 3 false false 0 0 false false No definition available. false 59 Assets acquired in acquisition of subsidiary 4 us-gaap_FairValueOfAssetsAcquired us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 1097000000 1097 false false 3 false true 434000000 434 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 60 Non-recourse debt assumed in acquisition of subsidiary 4 aes_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNonrecourseDebtAssumed aes false debit duration monetary Supplemental disclosure of non-recourse debt assumed through a noncash or part noncash acquisition. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true 647000000 647 false false Supplemental disclosure of non-recourse debt assumed through a noncash or part noncash acquisition. No authoritative reference available. false 61 Liabilities extinguished due to sale of assets 4 aes_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestituresLiabilitiesExtinguishedDueToSaleOfAssets aes false debit duration monetary Noncash or Part Noncash Divestitures Liabilities Extinguished Due to Sale of Assets false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 0 0 false false 3 false true 134000000 134 false false Noncash or Part Noncash Divestitures Liabilities Extinguished Due to Sale of Assets No authoritative reference available. false 62 Liabilities assumed in acquisition of subsidiary 4 us-gaap_LiabilitiesAssumed us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 0 0 false false 2 false true 49000000 49 false false 3 false true 37000000 37 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 63 Assets acquired in noncash asset exchange 4 aes_AssetsAcquiredInNoncashAssetExchange aes false credit duration monetary Assets acquired in noncash asset exchange. false false false false false false false false false 1 false true 111000000 111 false false 2 false true 18000000 18 false false 3 false true 0 0 false false Assets acquired in noncash asset exchange. No authoritative reference available. false 64 Assets disposed of in noncash asset exchange 4 us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived us-gaap true debit instant monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 true true 0 0 false false 2 true true 4000000 4 false false 3 true true 0 0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 3 60 false Millions UnKnown UnKnown false true