XML 95 R68.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Equity (Details) - USD ($) | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2016
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |  | $ 125,000,000 | $ (52,000,000) |
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent |  | 2,991,000,000 |  | $ 2,794,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 5,700,000,000 | 6,171,000,000 |
Net income |  | 98,000,000 | 74,000,000 |
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest |  | 122,000,000 | (52,000,000) |
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax |  | 71,000,000 | 128,000,000 |
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax |  | 15,000,000 | (65,000,000) |
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax |  | 6,000,000 | 3,000,000 |
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption | [1] | 31,000,000 | 0 |
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |  | 17,000,000 | 28,000,000 |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  | (19,000,000) | (19,000,000) |
Disposition of businesses |  | 0 | (2,000,000) |
Purchase of treasury stock |  | 0 | (79,000,000) |
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax |  | 1,000,000 | 4,000,000 |
Dividends declared on common stock |  | (79,000,000) | (71,000,000) |
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests |  | 18,000,000 | 17,000,000 |
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests |  | 267,000,000 | (5,000,000) |
Temporary Equity, Net Income |  | 3,000,000 | 0 |
Ending Balance |  | 6,129,000,000 | 6,184,000,000 |
Additional Paid in Capital |  | 8,731,000,000 |  | 8,592,000,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |  | (2,717,000,000) |  | $ (2,756,000,000)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax |  | 61,000,000 |  |
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax |  | (1,000,000) |  |
Parent [Member] |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 2,794,000,000 | 3,149,000,000 |
Net income |  | (24,000,000) | 126,000,000 |
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax |  | 61,000,000 | 100,000,000 |
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax |  | 12,000,000 | (25,000,000) |
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax |  | (1,000,000) | 1,000,000 |
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption | [1] | 31,000,000 | 0 |
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |  | 0 | 0 |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  | 0 | (2,000,000) |
Disposition of businesses |  | 0 | 0 |
Purchase of treasury stock |  | 0 | (79,000,000) |
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax |  | 1,000,000 | 4,000,000 |
Dividends declared on common stock |  | (79,000,000) | (71,000,000) |
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests |  | (4,000,000) | 0 |
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests |  | 200,000,000 | (2,000,000) |
Temporary Equity, Net Income |  | 0 | 0 |
Ending Balance |  | 2,991,000,000 | 3,201,000,000 |
Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 2,906,000,000 | 3,022,000,000 |
Net income | [2] | 122,000,000 | (52,000,000) |
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax |  | 10,000,000 | 28,000,000 |
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax |  | 3,000,000 | (40,000,000) |
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax |  | 7,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption | [1] | 0 | 0 |
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |  | 17,000,000 | 28,000,000 |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  | (19,000,000) | (17,000,000) |
Disposition of businesses |  | 0 | (2,000,000) |
Purchase of treasury stock |  | 0 | 0 |
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax |  | 0 | 0 |
Dividends declared on common stock |  | 0 | 0 |
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests |  | 22,000,000 | 17,000,000 |
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests |  | 67,000,000 | (3,000,000) |
Temporary Equity, Net Income |  | 3,000,000 | 0 |
Ending Balance |  | 3,138,000,000 | $ 2,983,000,000 |
Alto Maipo [Member] |  |  |  |
Changes In Equity Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent |  | 196,000,000 |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Additional Paid in Capital |  | 229,000,000 |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |  | $ (33,000,000) |  |
[1] | (2) See Note 1—Financial Statement Presentation, New Accounting Standards Adopted for further information.
[2] | (1) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $125 million and $3 million of net loss attributable to redeemable stocks of subsidiaries.

X
- Definition Amount of capital contributions from a noncontrolling interest. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_CapitalContributionsFromNoncontrollingInterests
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_ChangesInEquityDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance due to disposition of businesses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseDueToDispositionOfBusinesses
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669686-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Excess of issue price over par or stated value of the entity's capital stock and amounts received from other transactions involving the entity's stock or stockholders. Includes adjustments to additional paid in capital. Some examples of such adjustments include recording the issuance of debt with a beneficial conversion feature and certain tax consequences of equity instruments awarded to employees. Use this element for the aggregate amount of additional paid-in capital associated with common and preferred stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only common stock, use the element additional paid in capital, common stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only preferred stock, use the element additional paid in capital, preferred stock. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount after tax of increase (decrease) to equity or (increase) decrease to net assets, resulting from the cumulative effect adjustment of a new accounting principle applied in the period of adoption. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 405 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957935&loc=d3e64057-112817 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4568447-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingEntity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Decrease in noncontrolling interest (for example, but not limited to, redeeming or purchasing the interests of noncontrolling shareholders, issuance of shares (interests) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary to the parent entity for other than cash, and a buyback of shares (interest) by the non-wholly owned subsidiary from the noncontrolling interests). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 23 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4569655-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4616395-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897068&loc=SL4591551-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64809438&loc=SL4573702-111684 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase in noncontrolling interest from sale of a portion of the parent's controlling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64809438&loc=SL4573702-111684 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 23 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4569655-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSaleOfParentEquityInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669646-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (b,c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64808268&loc=d3e32211-110900 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669646-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (i-k) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669646-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897068&loc=SL4591552-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64809438&loc=SL4573702-111684 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897068&loc=SL4591551-111686 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64809438&loc=SL4573702-111684 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition 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. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.E) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(31)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4I -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897068&loc=SL4590271-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4568740-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=SL4568447-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of net income or loss attributable to temporary equity interest. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TemporaryEquityNetIncome
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405813&loc=d3e23239-112655 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_ParentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=aes_AltoMaipoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |