<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.10.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>607</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>352</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>150</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002001 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/Inventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancingReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Investment In and Advances To Affiliates</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/InvestmentInAndAdvancesToAffiliates</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment In and Advances To Affiliates</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitments</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies and Commitments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RedeemableStocksOfSubsidiariesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/Equity</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/Segments</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Revenue (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Other Income and Expense</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/OtherIncomeAndExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income and Expense</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Asset Impairment Expense</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/AssetImpairmentExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Impairment Expense</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Dispositions (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DispositionsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Dispositions (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2127100 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndHeldForSaleBusinessesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2129100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/IncomeTaxesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2209201 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments Contingencies and Commitments (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsContingenciesAndCommitmentsPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies and Commitments Contingencies and Commitments (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2213201 - Disclosure - Segments Segments (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/SegmentsSegmentsPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments Segments (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2225201 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share EPS Policy (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShareEpsPolicyPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share EPS Policy (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Standards (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationNewAccountingStandardsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Standards (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301303 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301304 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation Adoption of ASU 606 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationAdoptionOfAsu606Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation Adoption of ASU 606 (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301305 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation Adoption of ASU 606 2018 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationAdoptionOfAsu6062018Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation Adoption of ASU 606 2018 (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/InventoryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/Inventory</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValue</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivities</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancingReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancingReceivables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309302 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitments</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RedeemableStocksOfSubsidiariesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/RedeemableStocksOfSubsidiariesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/Equity</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313302 - Disclosure - Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/SegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/Segments</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315302 - Disclosure - Revenue (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Other Income and Expense (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/OtherIncomeAndExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income and Expense (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/OtherIncomeAndExpense</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Asset Impairment Expense (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/AssetImpairmentExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Impairment Expense (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/AssetImpairmentExpense</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325302 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2327301 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndHeldForSaleBusinessesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndHeldForSaleBusinessesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancialStatementPresentationNewAccountingPronouncementAdoptedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/InventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/InventoryTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueRecurringMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Investment in Marketable Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueInvestmentInMarketableSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Investment in Marketable Securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueLevel3ReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Quantitative Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueQuantitativeInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Quantitative Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403406 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measurements) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueNonrecurringMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measurements) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403407 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueInstrumentsNotMeasuredAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 1 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesPart1Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 1 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 2 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesPart2Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 2 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 3 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesPart3Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 3 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesCreditRiskRelatedContingentFeaturesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Financing Receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancingReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financing Receivables (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/FinancingReceivablesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Debt - Recourse Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DebtRecourseDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Recourse Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DebtNonRecourseDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Debt - Subsidiary Non-recourse Debt in Default or Accelerated (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DebtSubsidiaryNonRecourseDebtInDefaultOrAcceleratedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Subsidiary Non-recourse Debt in Default or Accelerated (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies and Commitments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsLossContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RedeemableStocksOfSubsidiariesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/RedeemableStocksOfSubsidiariesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Equity Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityEquityTransactionsWithNoncontrollingInterestsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityReclassificationsOutOfAoclDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - Equity Common Stock Dividends (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EquityCommonStockDividendsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Common Stock Dividends (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/SegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/SegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Revenue (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415404 - Disclosure - Revenue Contract Balances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueContractBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Contract Balances (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415405 - Disclosure - Revenue Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revenue Remaining Performance Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Other Income and Expense - Other Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/OtherIncomeAndExpenseOtherIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income and Expense - Other Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Other Income and Expense - Other Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/OtherIncomeAndExpenseOtherExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income and Expense - Other Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Asset Impairment Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/AssetImpairmentExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset Impairment Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/AssetImpairmentExpenseTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Dispositions Dispositions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DispositionsDispositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Dispositions Dispositions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424401 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/Acquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2427402 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndHeldForSaleBusinessesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Held for sale businesses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndHeldForSaleBusinessesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Risks and Uncertainties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/RisksAndUncertaintiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Risks and Uncertainties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2429402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.aes.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.aes.com/role/IncomeTaxesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="aes-20180630.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - aes-20180630.xml</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - aes-20180630.xml</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>aes-20180630.xml</File>
    <File>aes-20180630.xsd</File>
    <File>aes-20180630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>aes-20180630_def.xml</File>
    <File>aes-20180630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>aes-20180630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2018-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
