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The amount of distributions received from 50%-or-less owned affiliates

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Total generation capacity of the subsidiary, in megawatts.

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

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The amount of long-term liabilities associated with a debt agreement under which no material financial of operating decisions can be made with the banks' consent, resulting in loss of control of the affiliate by the parent

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No definition available.

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Proceeds Received On Dissolution Of Joint Venture

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The amount of undistributed earnings of 50%-or-less owned affiliates included in retained earnings

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold or consumed after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

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Total obligations incurred as part of normal operations that are expected to be paid during the following twelve months or within one business cycle, if longer.

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 43

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Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	$ 1,196				$ 1,422				$ 1,196	$ 1,422	$ 1,320
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount									5	(376)
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues									18,141	16,923	15,443
Gross margin	931	1,006	695	1,082	1,079	1,010	989	985	3,714	4,063	3,820
Net income (loss)	323	(1,402)	207	515	445	175	427	483	(357)	1,530	1,059
Current assets	8,465				9,229				8,465	9,229
Current liabilities	8,319				8,438				8,319	8,438
Noncurrent Liabilities	25,919				27,101				25,919	27,101
Noncontrolling interests	2,945				3,783				2,945	3,783
Stockholder's equity	4,569				5,946				4,569	5,946
Undistributed Earnings Of Minority Owned Affiliates Included In Retained Earnings	150								150
Distributions Received From Minority Owned Affiliates									22	36	49
Basis Difference Between Carrying Amount And Investment	37								37
Minority Owned Affiliates [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues									1,868	1,668	1,341
Gross margin									355	258	207
Net income (loss)									146	(5)	100
Current assets	1,097				1,182				1,097	1,182
Noncurrent assets	5,253				4,298				5,253	4,298
Current liabilities	680				899				680	899
Noncurrent Liabilities	2,899				1,720				2,899	1,720
Noncontrolling interests	(228)				(240)				(228)	(240)
Stockholder's equity	2,999				3,101				2,999	3,101
Majority Owned Affiliates [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues									106	24	20
Gross margin									26	24	18
Net income (loss)									(5)	(5)	7
Current assets	2				58				2	58
Noncurrent assets	38				519				38	519
Current liabilities	55				109				55	109
Noncurrent Liabilities	20				269				20	269
Noncontrolling interests	0				0				0	0
Stockholder's equity	(35)				199				(35)	199
AES Solar Holding Co [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	307				324				307	324
Effective Ownership %	50.00%				50.00%				50.00%	50.00%
Barry Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0				0				0	0
Effective Ownership %	100.00%				100.00%				100.00%	100.00%
Long Term Liabilities Associated With Debt Agreement Resulting In Loss Of Control	55				52				55	52
Cartagena Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0								0
Effective Ownership %	14.00%								14.00%
CET Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	13				14				13	14
Effective Ownership %	72.00%				72.00%				72.00%	72.00%
Chigen Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	2				30				2	30
Effective Ownership %	35.00%				25.00%				35.00%	25.00%
China Wind Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0				75				0	75
Effective Ownership %	0.00%				49.00%				0.00%	49.00%
Elsta Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	219				197				219	197
Effective Ownership %	50.00%				50.00%				50.00%	50.00%
Entek [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	234				121				234	121
Effective Ownership %	50.00%				50.00%				50.00%	50.00%
Generation Capacity (MW)	378								378
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment									82
Guacolda Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	196				186				196	186
Effective Ownership %	35.00%				35.00%				35.00%	35.00%
Ictas Energy Group Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0				161				0	161
Effective Ownership %	0.00%				51.00%				0.00%	51.00%
Gain Recognized On Dissolution Of Joint Venture									1
Proceeds Received On Dissolution Of Joint Venture									10
InnoVent Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0				32				0	32
Effective Ownership %	0.00%				40.00%				0.00%	40.00%
JHRH Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0				59				0	59
Effective Ownership %	0.00%				49.00%				0.00%	49.00%
OPGC Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	199				203				199	203
Effective Ownership %	49.00%				49.00%				49.00%	49.00%
Trinidad Generation Unlimited Affiliate [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	24				19				24	19
Effective Ownership %	10.00%				10.00%				10.00%	10.00%
Other Affiliates [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments in and advances to affiliates	$ 2				$ 1				$ 2	$ 1
IC Ictas Energy plants [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates General Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Ownership %	100.00%								100.00%
Generation Capacity (MW)	62								62