Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Related Party Transactions On Statement Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue - Non-Regulated	$ 8,216	$ 7,419	$ 6,533
Revenue - Regulated	9,925	9,504	8,910
Cost of Sale - Non-Regulated	5,994	5,726	5,126
Interest expense	1,572	1,553	1,449
Other income	105	149	100
Related Party Receivables And Payables [Abstract]
Receivables from related parties	2,712	2,522
Payables to related parties	2,638	2,008
Other Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Nature of Common Ownership or Management Control Relationships		Terrific Investment Corporation, also a subsidiary of China Investment Corporation, owns approximately 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock and has representation on the Company’s Board of Directors.
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transactions On Statement Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue - Non-Regulated	926	736	686
Revenue - Regulated	37	39	26
Cost of Sale - Non-Regulated	63	77	36
Interest expense	8	4	2
Other income	4	6	0
Related Party Receivables And Payables [Abstract]
Receivables from related parties	178	164
Payables to related parties	$ 7	$ 12
Mong Dong [Member]
Other Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Effective Ownership Sold		0.00%

The effective percentage of the affiliate's voting interest owned by the reporting entity (directly or indirectly)

No definition available.

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

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- Definition

Revenue earned during the period from the delivery of electricity to a retail customer's home or business through distribution wires or facilities of regulated public utilities. Also known as power delivery revenue.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

Revenue from generation of electricity, a process of producing electric energy by transforming other forms of energy such as nuclear, fossil fuel, solar, geothermal, hydro, and wind.

+ References

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- Definition

Cost incurred directly related to electricity produced and sold during the reporting period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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- Definition

The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

This element represents a description of the nature of common ownership or management control relationships with other entities, regardless of there being transactions between the entities, when the existence of that control could result in operating results or financial position of the reporting entity significantly different from that which would have been obtained if the entities' were autonomous.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income recognized by the entity in the period not otherwise specified in the income statement.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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