

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We  consent  to  the   incorporation  by  reference  in  The  AES  Corporation's
Registration  Statement  No.  33-44498 on Form S-8,  Registration  Statement No.
33-49262 on Form S-8,  Registration  Statement  No.  33-95046  on Form S-3,  and
Registration  Statement  No.  333-15487 on Form S-3 of our reports dated January
30,  1997,  except  for Note 13,  as to which  the date is  February  18,  1997,
appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of
The AES Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Washington, D.C.
March 28, 1997

