XML 117 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Contingencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011
Contingencies And Commitments Tables [Abstract] |
Contingent Contractual Obligations |
Contingent contractual obligations |  | Amount |  | Number of Agreements |  | Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement
|  | (in millions) |  |  |  | (in millions)
Guarantees |  | $ | 351 |  | 22 |  | <$1 - $53
Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility |  |  | 12 |  | 11 |  | <$1 - $7
Cash collateralized letters of credit |  |  | 261 |  | 13 |  | <$1 - $221
Total |  | $ | 624 |  | 46 |  |

X
- Details
Name: | aes_ContingenciesAndCommitmentsTablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Provides pertinent information about guarantee obligations and letters of credit issued, or each group of similar obligations, including the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_ScheduleOfContingentContractualObligationsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration