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Property, Plant and Equipment (Depreciation Expense, Software Amortization and Capitalized Interest) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense (including amortization of assets recorded under capital leases)	$ 1,104	$ 1,204	$ 1,193
Amortization of internal-use software	29	33	36
Interest capitalized during development and construction	90	120	$ 84
Property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation mortgaged, pledged or subject to liens	$ 12,000	$ 15,000

X

- Definition

Amount of property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation mortgaged, pledged, or subject to liens

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	aes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

For each income statement presented, the amount charged to expense for amortization of capitalized computer software costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128487-111756

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of interest capitalized, including amount of allowance for funds used during construction.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Allowance for Funds Used during Construction
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 980
-SubTopic 835
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501662&loc=d3e56162-110433

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
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