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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Jul. 04, 2013
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | $ 637 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent | $ 637 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent | $ 282 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 872 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent | 872 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent | 636 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent |
TOTAL REGULATORY ASSETS | 1,509 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets | 1,509 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets | 918 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 605 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent | 605 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent | 461 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 1,509 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent | 1,509 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent | 1,592 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent |
Total period for adjustments to the Regulatory Asset Base | 4 years |  |  |
TOTAL REGULATORY LIABILITIES | 2,114 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities | 2,114 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities | 2,053 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities |
Period of annual tariff adjustment |  | 12 months |  |
Total period to recover or refund costs for annual tariff adjustment | 2 years | 24 months |  |
Brazil Tariff Estimated Rate Change Liability |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 76 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember | 76 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember | 245 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 0 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember | 0 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember | 82 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember |
Tariff adjustment, percentage amortized |  |  |  | 67.55%aes_RegulatoryLiabilitiesTariffAdjustmentPercentageAmortized / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember
Tariff adjustment, percentage amortized in next tariff adjustment |  |  |  | 32.45%aes_RegulatoryLiabilitiesTariffAdjustmentPercentageAmortizedInNextTariffAdjustment / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffEstimatedRateChangeLiabilityMember
Efficiency Program Costs |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 22 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember | 22 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember | 25 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 11 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember | 11 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember | 10 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_EfficiencyProgramCostsMember |
Brazil Regulatory Asset Base Adjustment |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 123 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember | 123 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember | 34 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 61 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember | 61 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember | 235 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilRegulatoryAssetBaseAdjustmentMember |
Brazil Tariff Recoveries Energy Purchases Liability |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 144 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember | 144 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember | 48 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 128 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember | 128 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember | 16 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesLiabilityMember |
Brazil Tariff Recoveries Transmission Costs Regulatory Fees And Other Liability |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 174 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember | 174 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember | 69 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 97 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember | 97 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember | 42 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherLiabilityMember |
Asset Retirement Obligation Costs |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 727 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember | 727 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember | 696 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember |
Brazil Special Obligations |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 484 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilSpecialObligationsMember | 484 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilSpecialObligationsMember | 502 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_BrazilSpecialObligationsMember |
Other Regulatory Liabilities |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Liabilities | 66 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember | 66 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember | 40 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Liabilities | 1 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember | 1 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember | 9 us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryLiabilitiesMember |
Brazil Tariff Recoveries Energy Purchases Asset |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | 424 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember | 424 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember | 87 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 266 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember | 266 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember | 62 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesEnergyPurchasesAssetMember |
Brazil Tariff Recoveries Transmission Costs Regulatory Fees And Other Asset |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | 63 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember | 63 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember | 52 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 14 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember | 14 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember | 4 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_BrazilTariffRecoveriesTransmissionCostsRegulatoryFeesAndOtherAssetMember |
El Salvador Tariff Recoveries |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | 92 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_ElSalvadorTariffRecoveriesMember | 92 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_ElSalvadorTariffRecoveriesMember | 108 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_ElSalvadorTariffRecoveriesMember |
Pension Costs |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 329 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = us-gaap_PensionCostsMember | 329 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = us-gaap_PensionCostsMember | 261 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = us-gaap_PensionCostsMember |
Income Taxes Recoverable From Customers |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 74 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_IncomeTaxesRecoverableFromCustomersMemberMember | 74 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_IncomeTaxesRecoverableFromCustomersMemberMember | 72 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_IncomeTaxesRecoverableFromCustomersMemberMember |
Deferred Midwest Independent Service Operator Costs |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 111 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_DeferredMidwestIndependentServiceOperatorCostsMember | 111 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_DeferredMidwestIndependentServiceOperatorCostsMember | 98 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_DeferredMidwestIndependentServiceOperatorCostsMember |
Other Regulatory Assets |  |  |  |
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Current Regulatory Assets | 58 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 58 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 35 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |
Total Non Current Regulatory Assets | 78 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 78 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 139 us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |
Other current regulatory assets that did not earn a rate of return | 22 aes_RemainingAmountsOfCurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 22 aes_RemainingAmountsOfCurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | 13 aes_RemainingAmountsOfCurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |
Other noncurrent regulatory assets that did not earn a rate of return | $ 73 aes_RemainingAmountsOfNoncurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | $ 73 aes_RemainingAmountsOfNoncurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember | $ 71 aes_RemainingAmountsOfNoncurrentRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided / us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis = aes_OtherRegulatoryAssetsMember |

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- Definition Remaining balance of current regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery is provided. In some cases, a regulator may permit an enterprise to include a cost that would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise as an allowable cost over a period of time by amortizing that cost for rate-making purposes, but the regulator does not include the unrecovered amount in the rate base. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Remaining balance of noncurrent regulatory assets for which no return on investment during recovery is provided. In some cases, a regulator may permit an enterprise to include a cost that would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise as an allowable cost over a period of time by amortizing that cost for rate-making purposes, but the regulator does not include the unrecovered amount in the rate base + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs of regulated entities that are expected to be recovered through revenue sources within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Such costs are capitalized if they meet both of the following criteria: a. It is probable that future revenue in an amount at least equal to the capitalized cost will result from inclusion of that cost in allowable costs for rate-making purposes. b. Based on available evidence, the future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost rather than to provide for expected levels of similar future costs. If the revenue will be provided through an automatic rate-adjustment clause, this criterion requires that the regulator's intent clearly be to permit recovery of the previously incurred cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
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