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Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Revenues | $ 18,141,000,000 | $ 16,923,000,000 | $ 15,443,000,000
Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution | 1,377,000,000 | 1,078,000,000 | 955,000,000
Beaver Valley [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Ownership Interest Percent To Be Sold | 100.00% |  |
Sale price of asset group | 60,000,000 |  |
Generation Capacity (MW) | 125 |  |
Long-lived assets that may incur asset impairment expense | 47,000,000 |  |
Masinloc [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Generation Capacity (MW) | 660 |  |
Refinanced senior debt facility | 500,000,000 |  |
Expected loss on extinguishment of debt minimum | 39,000,000 |  |
Expected loss on extinguishment of debt maximum | 43,000,000 |  |
Ukraine [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Sale price of asset group | 113,000,000 |  |
Carrying amount of asset group | 131,000,000 |  |
Cumulative Translation Losses Included In Carrying Amount | 34,000,000 |  |
Expected Impairment loss minimum | 20,000,000 |  |
Expected impairment loss maximum | 26,000,000 |  |
Bulgaria [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Reduction in electricity tarrifs announced | 8.00% |  |
Net equity of affiliate | 517,000,000 |  |
Long-Lived Assets | 1,800,000,000 |  |
Revenues | 369,000,000 |  |
Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution | $ 102,000,000 |  |
AES Kyivoblenergo [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Ownership Interest Percent To Be Sold | 89.10% |  |
Customers Served | 881,000 |  |
AES Rivneoblenergo [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Ownership Interest Percent To Be Sold | 84.60% |  |
Customers Served | 412,000 |  |

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