XML 128 R94.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates - Summary of Financial Information of Affiliates & Subsidiaries (Details) - USD ($) |  |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 09, 2018 | Jan. 01, 2018 | Nov. 15, 2017 | Jul. 25, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 16, 2016
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax |  | $ (1,857,000,000) |  |  | $ (2,071,000,000) |  |  |  |  | $ (2,071,000,000) | $ (1,876,000,000) | $ (2,756,000,000) |
Investments in and advances to affiliates |  |  |  |  | 1,114,000,000 |  |  |  |  | 1,114,000,000 | 1,197,000,000 | 621,000,000 |
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business |  |  |  |  | $ 128,000,000 | $ (21,000,000) | $ 89,000,000 | $ 788,000,000 | $ (48,000,000) | 984,000,000 | (52,000,000) | 29,000,000 |
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144,000,000 |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 66,000,000 | 609,000,000 | 52,000,000 |
Proceeds from the sale of business interests, net of cash and restricted cash sold |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,020,000,000 | 108,000,000 | 538,000,000 |
Net equity in earnings of affiliates |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 39,000,000 | 71,000,000 | 36,000,000 |
Barry |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |
Distributed Energy [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 23,000,000 |  |  |
Business Combination, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss) |  |  |  |  | $ 5,000,000 |  |  |  |  | 5,000,000 |  |  |
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 43,000,000
Simple Energy [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired | $ 35,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fluence [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired |  | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture |  | $ 7,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred |  | 50,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
sPower [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage |  |  | 2.00% | 48.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired |  |  | $ 19,000,000 | $ 461,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-cash [Member] | Fluence [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contribution of Property |  | $ 20,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20,000,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | guacolda [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring |  |  |  |  | $ 209,000,000 |  |  |  |  | $ 209,000,000 |  |  |

X
- Definition This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of the assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity before the recognition of impairment charges. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_AssetsCarryingAmountDisclosureNonrecurring
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Business Combination, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain (Loss) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aes_BusinessCombinationEquityInterestinAcquireeRemeasurementGainLoss
Namespace Prefix: | aes_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114867106&loc=d3e681-108580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 30 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109124213&loc=d3e6613-128477 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 30 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109124213&loc=d3e6578-128477 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Value of property contributed in noncash investing and financing activities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4304-108586 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4332-108586 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4313-108586 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ContributionOfProperty
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001220&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) from sale and disposal of integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for purpose of providing return in form of dividend, lower cost, or other economic benefit to investor, owner, member and participant. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4582445-111684 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(12)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 220 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(13)(f)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873765&loc=SL114874048-224260 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of investment in equity method investee and investment in and advance to affiliate. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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: | us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in another entity or an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, joint venture or equity method investment). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a business segment or subsidiary or sale of an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled during the period (for example, an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, joint venture or equity method investment). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentAxis=aes_BarryAffiliateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=aes_NoncashMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=aes_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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