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

This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of the assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity before the recognition of impairment charges.

No definition available.

Name:	aes_AssetsCarryingAmountDisclosureNonrecurringPriorToImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

Fair value of asset after deduction of liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 820
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 2
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-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482106/820-10-50-2

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

For the asset that is reclassified back to held and used from held-for-sale, the amount of impairment charge that is recognized on the reclassification date.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 7
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-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482130/360-10-45-7

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentChargeOnReclassifiedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
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-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 820
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-Section 55
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 15
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482130/360-10-45-15

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=aes_JordanIPP1IPP4Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_OtherSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AESCleanEnergyDevelopmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=aes_CleanEnergyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_MongDuongHeldForSaleMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputCostToSellMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: