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Asset Impairment Expense (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 MW | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Jan. 09, 2013 MW | Dec. 31, 2013 MW | Sep. 30, 2013 MW | Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 28, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Production Capacity (MW) | 2,072 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | $ 91,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges | $ 95,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges | $ 73,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets | 20,000,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 | (40,000,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 | (45,000,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ebute |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use |  |  |  | 67,000,000 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 36,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Production Capacity (MW) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 294 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 67,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
UK Wind (Newfield) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use |  |  |  | 12,000,000 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 12,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
DP&L (East Bend) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use |  |  |  |  | 12,000,000 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 2,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Production Capacity (MW) | 186 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 12,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beaver Valley |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Production Capacity (MW) |  |  |  |  |  | 125 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |  |
Lump sum payment received for termination of PPA |  |  |  |  |  | 60,000,000 aes_LumpSumPaymentReceivedForTerminationOfPpa / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember | 46,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  | 46,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |  |
Conesville (DP&L) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |
Production Capacity (MW) |  | 129 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |  |  | 129 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember | 26,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |  | 26,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |
Itabo (San Lorenzo) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |
Production Capacity (MW) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35 aes_GenerationCapacityMegaWatts / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember | 16,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |  |  |  | 16,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |
Assets carrying amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,000,000 aes_AssetsCarryingAmountDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |
U.S. wind turbines and projects |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_WindTurbinesAndProjectsMember |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_WindTurbinesAndProjectsMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_WindTurbinesAndProjectsMember | 41,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_WindTurbinesAndProjectsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sale of assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,000,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_WindTurbinesAndProjectsMember |
Kelanitissa |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_KelanitissaMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_KelanitissaMember | 19,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_KelanitissaMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
St. Patrick |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember
Other Asset Impairment Charges | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember | 0 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember | 11,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,000,000 us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember
Assets carrying amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33,000,000 aes_AssetsCarryingAmountDisclosureNonrecurring / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_StPatrickMember
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | Ebute |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 103,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | UK Wind (Newfield) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 11,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | DP&L (East Bend) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 14,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EastBendDPLMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | Beaver Valley |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 61,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |  |  | 61,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | Conesville (DP&L) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 26,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |  |  | 26,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |
Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Carrying Amount | Itabo (San Lorenzo) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 23,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |  |  |  | 23,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 309,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Fair Value | Ebute |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 36,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_EbuteMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Fair Value | UK Wind (Newfield) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_UKWindNewfieldMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Fair Value | Beaver Valley |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 15,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |  |  | 15,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_BeaverValleyMember |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Fair Value | Conesville (DP&L) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |  |  | 0 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ConesvilleDPLMember |  |  |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used | Fair Value | Itabo (San Lorenzo) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets, fair value |  | $ 7,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |  |  |  | $ 7,000,000 us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring / aes_FairValueByAssetTypeAxis = aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member / us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis = us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember / dei_LegalEntityAxis = aes_ItaboSanLorenzoMember |  |  |

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