Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (1,402)	$ 175	$ (680)	$ 1,085
Available-for-sale securities activity:
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0, and $0, respectively	0	0	1	1
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0, and $1, respectively	0	(1)	(1)	(4)
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	(1)	0	(3)
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(2), $42, $(1), and $28, respectively	14	(579)	(227)	(309)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0, and $0, respectively	(39)	(11)	(42)	(19)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(25)	(590)	(269)	(328)
Derivative activity:
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $7, $67, $27, and $93, respectively	(55)	(236)	(167)	(305)
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(5), (12), $(38), and $(15), respectively	27	53	153	112
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(28)	(183)	(14)	(193)
Pension activity:
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(4), $(2), $(10), and $(6), respectively	(6)	(5)	(19)	(12)
Total pension adjustments	(6)	(5)	(19)	(12)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(47)	(769)	(264)	(512)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(1,449)	(594)	(944)	573
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(159)	14	(290)	(650)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (1,608)	$ (580)	$ (1,234)	$ (77)