


                                                                   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 report dated January 30, 1997, except for
the penultimate paragraph of Note 6, as to which the date is March 13, 1997, and
Note 13, as to which the date is June 30, 1997,  appearing in the Current Report
on Form 8-K of The AES Corporation dated July 3, 1997.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Washington, D.C.
October 22, 1997

