XML 212 R156.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Other Income and Expense (Other Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of other operating expense [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Allowance for other receivables | [1] | $ 52 | $ 0 | $ 0
Loss On Sale And Disposal Of Assets |  | 38 | 31 | 46
Water Rights Write-Off |  | 6 | 10 | 0
Loss Contingency Accrual, Provision |  | 3 | 9 | 11
Other |  | 4 | 8 | 8
Other Expenses |  | $ 103 | $ 58 | $ 65
[1] | During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized a full allowance on a non-trade receivable in the MCAC SBU as a result of payment delays and discussions with the counterparty. The allowance relates to certain reimbursements the Company was expecting in connection with a legal matter. Management believes the counterparty is obligated to pay and plans to continue to attempt to fully collect the non-trade receivable.

X
- Definition Allowance for other receivables + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_Allowanceforotherreceivables
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss on the sale or disposal of assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_LossOnSaleAndDisposalOfAssets
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Schedule of other operating expense [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_ScheduleofotheroperatingexpenseLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Water Rights Write-Off + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_WaterRightsWriteOff
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProvision
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense classified as other. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4,6) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration