Name:	aes_DebtDefaultAmount
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

debt defaults at risk of causing cross default

No definition available.

Name:	aes_Debtdefaultsatriskofcausingcrossdefault
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of equity interest in business disposed.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationOwnershipInterestSold
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Divestiture of Business, sales price is the total sales price, prior to adjustments, for the disposal of a business

No definition available.

Name:	aes_DivestitureOfBusinessSalesPrice
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Materiality threshold for cash distribution from business to Parent

No definition available.

Name:	aes_MaterialitythresholdforcashdistributionfrombusinesstoParent
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

Name:	aes_NonrecourseDebtDefaultLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of net assets (liabilities).

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Name:	us-gaap_AssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 944
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-Topic 942
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Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=aes_DominicanRepublicRenewablesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=aes_VentanasMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=aes_MongDuongSubsidiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_TypeOfDebtDefaultAxis=aes_CovenantAndPaymentViolationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_DebtDefaultBySubsidiaryAxis=aes_AESPuertoRicoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_TypeOfDebtDefaultAxis=aes_CovenantViolationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	aes_DebtDefaultBySubsidiaryAxis=aes_AESlluminaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: