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General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Mar. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2011 years | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2010 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments And Change In Derivative Fair Value Reclassed To Earnings On Disposal [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Dominican Republic [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Argentina [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Salvage Value [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Thames [Member] | Feb. 01, 2011 Thames [Member] mw | Dec. 31, 2011 Eastern Energy Subsidiary [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Borsod [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 DPL Acquisition [Member] mw
General And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Details [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adoption of ASU 2009-16 |  |  |  |  | $ 40 |  |  |  |  | $ 40 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transfers Accounted For As Secured Borrowings Assets Carrying Amount | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum Interest Transferred To Purchasers Through Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percent acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00%
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Assets | 45,333 |  |  |  | 40,511 |  |  |  | 45,333 | 40,511 | 39,535 |  |  |  |  |  | 158 | 166 | 9 |
Total Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 170 | 289 | 18 |
Total Revenue | 4,230 | 4,307 | 4,435 | 4,156 | 4,192 | 3,885 | 3,803 | 3,805 | 17,128 | 15,685 | 12,974 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 154
Generation Capacity (MW) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 208 |  |  | 3,800
Deconsolidation Gain Or Loss Amount Deferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 123 | 9 |
Amount Paid To Satisfy Guarantee |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 |  |  |  |
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change In Accounting Estimate Impact On Depreciation Expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 68 |  |  |  |  |
Change In Accounting Estimate Impact On Net Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18 |  |  |  |  |
Change In Accounting Estimate Impact On Net Income Per Share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.02 |  |  |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financing Receivable | 295 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 295 |  |  |  | 49 | 232 |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets and Associated Liabilities of Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adoption of ASU 2009-16 |  |  |  |  | 40 |  |  |  |  | 40 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transfers Accounted For As Secured Borrowings Assets Carrying Amount | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum Interest Transferred To Purchasers Through Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Reclassified To Cash And Cash Equivalents | 130 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 130 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Comprehensive income understatement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 213 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Comprehensive income previously reported |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,283 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Comprehensive income attributable to The AES Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 781 | $ 1,496 | $ 2,437 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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