



                                                                    Exhibit 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

          We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Registration
Statement of The AES  Corporation  on Form S-8 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 the  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of The AES
Corporation  for the year ended  December 31, 1996,  and to the  reference to us
under  the  heading  "Experts"  in  the  prospectus,   which  is  part  of  this
Registration Statement.



Washington, DC
June 10, 1997
