The AES Corporation (AES) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'AES	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AES CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000874761	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	742,327,115
Entity current reporting status	'Yes	'
Entity voluntary filers	'No	'
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,031	$1,909
Restricted cash	620	738
Short-term investments	898	693
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $140 and $195, respectively	2,326	2,542
Inventory	711	722
Deferred income taxes	172	199
Prepaid expenses	199	223
Other current assets	836	1,074
Current assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale assets	458	365
Total current assets	8,251	8,465
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'
Land	952	1,005
Electric generation, distribution assets and other	30,835	30,451
Accumulated depreciation	-9,531	-9,195
Construction in progress	2,826	2,511
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,082	24,772
Other Assets:	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	1,025	1,196
Debt service reserves and other deposits	485	511
Goodwill	1,941	1,999
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $151 and $222, respectively	325	395
Deferred income taxes	821	940
Other noncurrent assets	2,169	2,190
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale assets	1,151	1,362
Total other assets	7,917	8,593
TOTAL ASSETS	41,250	41,830
CURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Accounts payable	2,156	2,547
Accrued interest	396	288
Accrued and other liabilities	2,116	2,350
Non-recourse debt, including $267 and $275, respectively, related to variable interest entities	2,385	2,495
Recourse debt	118	11
Current liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	838	628
Total current liabilities	8,009	8,319
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Non-recourse debt, including $939 and $858, respectively, related to variable interest entities	12,981	12,286
Recourse debt	5,552	5,951
Deferred income taxes	1,116	1,192
Pension and other post-retirement liabilities	2,138	2,418
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,042	3,562
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	368	510
Total noncurrent liabilities	25,197	25,919
Contingencies and Commitments (see Note 8)	'	'
Cumulative preferred stock of subsidiaries	78	78
THE AES CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 813,077,875 issued and 742,245,268 outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 810,679,839 issued and 744,263,855 outstanding at December 31, 2012)	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,497	8,525
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	56	-264
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,918	-2,920
Treasury stock, at cost (70,832,607 shares at September 30, 2013 and 66,415,984 shares at December 31, 2012)	-830	-780
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,813	4,569
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	3,153	2,945
Total equity	7,966	7,514
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$41,250	$41,830

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$140	$195
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	151	222
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	813,077,875	810,679,839
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	742,245,268	744,263,855
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	70,832,607	66,415,984
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Non-recourse debt - current balance at variable interest entities	2,385	2,495
Non-recourse debt - noncurrent, balance at variable interest entities	12,981	12,286
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Non-recourse debt - current balance at variable interest entities	267	275
Non-recourse debt - noncurrent, balance at variable interest entities	$939	$858

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Regulated	$2,063	$2,318	$6,175	$6,685
Non-Regulated	1,940	2,037	5,933	6,122
Total revenue	4,003	4,355	12,108	12,807
Cost of Sales:	'	'	'	'
Regulated	-1,663	-1,927	-5,082	-5,642
Non-Regulated	-1,403	-1,461	-4,423	-4,445
Total cost of sales	-3,066	-3,388	-9,505	-10,087
Gross margin	937	967	2,603	2,720
General and administrative expenses	-63	-64	-183	-225
Interest expense	-357	-396	-1,065	-1,182
Interest income	85	88	213	261
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	-212	0
Other expense	-15	-15	-58	-56
Other income	25	7	106	39
Gain on sale of investments	3	30	26	214
Goodwill impairment expense	-58	-1,850	-58	-1,850
Asset impairment expense	-81	-43	-129	-71
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	32	-7	-16	-108
Other non-operating expense	-122	0	-122	-50
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	386	-1,283	1,105	-308
Income tax expense	-126	-172	-285	-514
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	15	25	21	49
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	275	-1,430	841	-773
Income from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(2), $2, $2, and $8, respectively	26	30	25	25
Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $0, $(1), $(2), and $60, respectively	-78	-2	-111	68
NET INCOME (LOSS)	223	-1,402	755	-680
Noncontrolling interests:	'	'	'	'
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-146	-155	-431	-398
Less: Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6	-11	-4	-9
Total net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-152	-166	-435	-407
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	71	-1,568	320	-1,087
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	129	-1,585	410	-1,171
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	($58)	$17	($90)	$84
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.17	($2.12)	$0.55	($1.54)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	($0.08)	$0.02	($0.12)	$0.11
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$0.09	($2.10)	$0.43	($1.43)
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.17	($2.12)	$0.55	($1.54)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	($0.08)	$0.02	($0.12)	$0.11
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$0.09	($2.10)	$0.43	($1.43)
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.04	$0.08	$0.04

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income from operations of discontinued businesses, income tax expense (benefit)	($2)	$2	$2	$8
Gain/(loss) from disposal of discontinued businesses, income tax expense (benefit)	$0	($1)	($2)	$60

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$223	($1,402)	$755	($680)
Available-for-sale securities activity:	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	0	0	-1	1
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	0	0	1	-1
Total change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation activity:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $1, $(2), $3 and $(1), respectively	-6	14	-264	-227
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	0	-39	41	-42
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	-6	-25	-223	-269
Derivative activity:	'	'	'	'
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(0), $7, $(28) and $27, respectively	7	-55	93	-167
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(8), $(5), $(30) and $(38), respectively	27	27	112	153
Total change in fair value of derivatives	34	-28	205	-14
Pension activity:	'	'	'	'
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(6), $(4), $(20) and $(10), respectively	12	6	39	19
Total pension adjustments	12	6	39	19
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	40	-47	21	-264
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	263	-1,449	776	-944
Less: Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-171	-159	-454	-290
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$92	($1,608)	$322	($1,234)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, income tax	$0	$0	$0	$0
Available-for-sale securities, reclassification to earnings, income tax	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, income tax	1	-2	3	-1
Foreign currency, reclassification to earnings, income tax	0	0	0	0
Change in derivative fair value, income tax	0	7	-28	27
Derivative reclassification to earnings, income tax	-8	-5	-30	-38
Pension, amortization of net actuarial loss, income tax	($6)	($4)	($20)	($10)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$755	($680)
Adjustments to net income (loss):	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	982	1,038
Gain from sale of investments and impairment expense	313	1,802
Deferred income taxes	-82	101
Provisions for contingencies	33	51
Loss on the extinguishment of debt	212	0
Loss (gain) on disposals and impairments - discontinued operations	108	-130
Other	-26	10
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	135	-191
(Increase) decrease in inventory	-6	-10
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	403	90
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-149	-379
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities	-578	303
Increase (decrease) in income tax payables, net and other tax payables	-66	-151
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	6	275
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,040	2,129
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-1,330	-1,581
Acquisitions - net of cash acquired	-3	-18
Proceeds from the sale of businesses, net of cash sold	167	432
Proceeds from the sale of assets	52	4
Sale of short-term investments	3,375	5,116
Purchase of short-term investments	-3,638	-4,764
Decrease in restricted cash, debt service reserves and other assets	75	35
Proceeds from government grants for asset construction	1	120
Other investing	34	-20
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,267	-676
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayments under the revolving credit facilities, net	-22	-322
Issuance of recourse debt	750	0
Issuance of non-recourse debt	3,082	822
Repayments of recourse debt	-1,208	-8
Repayments of non-recourse debt	-2,288	-759
Payments for financing fees	-148	-24
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-385	-741
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	157	12
Dividends paid on AES common stock	-89	0
Payments for financed capital expenditures	-436	-30
Purchase of treasury stock	-63	-301
Other financing	15	8
Net cash used in financing activities	-635	-1,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-37	9
Decrease in cash of discontinued and held-for-sale businesses	21	140
Total increase in cash and cash equivalents	122	259
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning	1,909	1,632
Cash and cash equivalents, ending	2,031	1,891
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:	'	'
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	923	1,024
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds	$506	$580

Financial_Statement_Presentati

Financial Statement Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	'
	FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
	The prior-period condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) have been reclassified to reflect the businesses held-for-sale and discontinued operations as discussed in Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-for-Sale Businesses.
	Consolidation
	In this Quarterly Report the terms “AES,” “the Company,” “us” or “we” refer to the consolidated entity including its subsidiaries and affiliates. The terms “The AES Corporation,” “the Parent” or “the Parent Company” refer only to the publicly held holding company, The AES Corporation, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates. Furthermore, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company has a variable interest have been consolidated where the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Interim Financial Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), as contained in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification, for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual fiscal reporting periods. In the opinion of management, the interim financial information includes all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the 2012 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the 2012 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013 (the “2012 Form 10-K”).
	Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Effective
	The following accounting standards have been issued, but are not yet effective for, and have not been adopted by AES.
	ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740), "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)."
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, which requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits (“UTBs”) against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, UTBs will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the UTBs. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods therein. The new standard requires prospective adoption, but allows optional retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact of adopting ASU No. 2013-11 on the Company's financial position. It will have no impact on the results of operations and cash flows.
	ASU No. 2013-7, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), "Liquidation Basis of Accounting"
	In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-7, which requires an entity to prepare financial statements on a liquidation basis when liquidation is imminent, unless the liquidation is the same as the plan specified in an entity's governing documents created at its inception. Under the liquidation basis of accounting, an entity will measure and present assets at the estimated amount of cash proceeds or other consideration that it expects to collect in settling or disposing of those assets in carrying out its plan for liquidation. This includes assets the entity previously had not recognized under U.S. GAAP, but expects to either sell in liquidation or use in settling liabilities (for example, trademarks). An entity will recognize and measure its liabilities in accordance with U.S. GAAP that otherwise applies to those liabilities. An entity should not anticipate it will be legally released from being the primary obligor under those liabilities, either judicially or by creditors. An entity will also accrue and separately present the costs it expects to incur and the income it expects to earn during the course of the liquidation, including any costs associated with the disposal or settlement of its assets and liabilities. ASU No. 2013-7 also requires additional disclosures. ASU No. 2013-7 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU No, 2013-7 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
	ASU No. 2013-5, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830), “Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.”
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-5, which requires an entity to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income when it ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business (other than a sale of in-substance real estate) within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. For an equity method investment that is a foreign entity, the partial sale guidance still applies. As such, a pro rata portion of the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income upon a partial sale of such an equity method investment. In those instances, the cumulative adjustment is released into net income only if the partial sale represents a complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity that contains the equity method investment. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013. Any impact of adopting ASU No. 2013-5 on the Company’s financial position and results of operations will depend on the nature and extent of future sales or dispositions of any entities that had created a cumulative translation adjustment.

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORY	'
	INVENTORY
	The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		30-Sep-13		December 31, 2012
		(in millions)
	Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$	345	$	371
	Spare parts and supplies	366		351
	Total	$	711	$	722

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE	'
	FAIR VALUE
	The fair value of current financial assets and liabilities, debt service reserves and other deposits approximate their reported carrying amounts. The estimated fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities have been determined using available market information. By virtue of these amounts being estimates and based on hypothetical transactions to sell assets or transfer liabilities, the use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. There were no changes in fair valuation techniques during the period and the Company continues to follow the valuation techniques described in Note 4. — Fair Value in Item 8. — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of its 2012 Form 10-K.
	Recurring Measurements
	The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			30-Sep-13													31-Dec-12
			Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:(1)
	Debt securities:
	Unsecured debentures		$	—		$	665			$	—		$	665		$	—		$	448	$	—	$	448
	Certificates of deposit		—			148				—			148			—			143		—		143
	Government debt securities		—			26				—			26			—			34		—		34
	Subtotal		—			839				—			839			—			625		—		625
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		—			46				—			46			—			56		—		56
	Subtotal		—			46				—			46			—			56		—		56
	Total available-for-sale		—			885				—			885			—			681		—		681
	TRADING:
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		13			—				—			13			12			—		—		12
	Total trading		13			—				—			13			12			—		—		12
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		—			44				—			44			—			2		—		2
	Cross currency derivatives		—			6				—			6			—			6		—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		—			17				97			114			—			2		79		81
	Commodity derivatives		—			26				8			34			—			8		3		11
	Total derivatives		—			93				105			198			—			18		82		100
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	13		$	978			$	105		$	1,096		$	12		$	699	$	82	$	793
	Liabilities
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—		$	249			$	103		$	352		$	—		$	153	$	412	$	565
	Cross currency derivatives		—			3				—			3			—			6		—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		—			15				6			21			—			7		7		14
	Commodity derivatives		—			16				4			20			—			13		4		17
	Total derivatives		—			283				113			396			—			179		423		602
	TOTAL LIABILITIES		$	—		$	283			$	113		$	396		$	—		$	179	$	423	$	602
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amortized cost approximated fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	The following tables present a reconciliation of net derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (presented net by type of derivative where any foreign currency impacts are presented as part of gains (losses) in earnings or other comprehensive income as appropriate). Transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 are determined as of the end of the reporting period and principally result from changes in the significance of unobservable inputs used to calculate the credit valuation adjustment.
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at July 1		$	(63	)	$	70			$	9		$	16
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(1		)	28				(1		)	26
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		7			—				—			7
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		(1		)	(6		)		—			(7		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				(4		)	(4		)
	Settlements		9			(1		)		—			8
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(84		)	—				—			(84		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		30			—				—			30
	Balance at September 30		$	(103	)	$	91			$	4		$	(8	)
	Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	—		$	27			$	(1	)	$	26
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at July 1		$	(281	)	$	47			$	13		$	(221	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(1		)	16				2			17
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(29		)	—				—			(29		)
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—			(2		)		—			(2		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				2			2
Settlements		12			(1		)		(5		)	6
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		2			—				—			2
Balance at September 30		$	(297	)	$	60			$	12		$	(225	)
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	(1	)	$	15			$	2		$	16
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
		Rate			Currency
		(in millions)
Balance at January 1		$	(412	)	$	72			$	(1	)	$	(341	)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings		(2		)	40				—			38
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		84			—				—			84
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		(3		)	(12		)		—			(15		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				5			5
Settlements		73			(3		)		—			70
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		—			—				—			—
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		157			(6		)		—			151
Balance at September 30		$	(103	)	$	91			$	4		$	(8	)
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	—		$	40			$	—		$	40
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Interest			Cross				Foreign			Commodity			Total
		Rate			Currency				Currency
		(in millions)
Balance at January 1		$	(128	)	$	(18	)		$	51		$	2		$	(93	)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings		(1		)	—				16			8			23
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(30		)	8				—			—			(22		)
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—			—				(4		)	—			(4		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				—			9			9
Settlements		19			11				(3		)	(7		)	20
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(159		)	—				—			—			(159		)
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		2			(1		)		—			—			1
Balance at September 30		$	(297	)	$	—			$	60		$	12		$	(225	)
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	(1	)	$	—			$	14		$	9		$	22
The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of September 30, 2013:
Type of Derivative		Fair Value			Unobservable Input		Amount or Range
							(Weighted Average)
		(in millions)
Interest rate		$	(103	)	Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.21	%
Foreign currency:
Embedded derivative — Argentine Peso		97			Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 3 years		22.14 - 39.05 (31.72)
Embedded derivative — Euro		(5		)	Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.21	%
Other		(1		)
Commodity:
Other		4
Total		$	(8	)
Nonrecurring Measurements
When evaluating impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets, discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses, and equity method investments, the Company measures fair value using the applicable fair value measurement guidance. Impairment expense is measured by comparing the fair value at the evaluation date to their then-latest available carrying amount. The following table summarizes major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the period and their level within the fair value hierarchy:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Carrying			Fair Value										Gross
		Amount			Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Loss
		(in millions)
Assets
Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
Poland Wind projects		$	79		$	—			$	—		$	14		$	65
Itabo (San Lorenzo)		22			—				—			7			15
Beaver Valley		61			—				—			15			46
Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
Wind turbines		25			—				25			—			—
Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
Cameroon businesses		262			—				199			—			65
Saurashtra		19			—				7			—			12
Ukraine utilities		143			—				113			—			34
Equity method investments (3)
Elsta		240			—				—			118			122
Goodwill
Ebute		58			—				—			—			58
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Carrying			Fair Value										Gross
		Amount			Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Loss
		(in millions)
Assets
Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
Kelanitissa		$	22		$	—			$	—		$	10		$	12
Wind Projects		16			—				—			—			16
Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
Wind turbines		45			—				—			25			20
St. Patrick		33			—				22			—			11
Equity method investments		205			—				155			—			50
Goodwill
DP&L		2,449			—				—			599			1,850
_____________________________
(1)	See Note 14 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.
(2)	See Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses for further information. Also, the gross loss equals the carrying amount of the disposal group less its fair value less costs to sell.
(3)	See Note 15 — Other Non-Operating Expense for further information.
The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Fair Value			Valuation		Unobservable Input		Range
					Technique				(Weighted Average)
		(in millions)							($ in millions)
Long-lived assets held and used:
Beaver Valley		$	15		Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		3% to 45% (19%)
							Annual pretax operating margin		-42% to 41% (25%)
							Weighted-average cost of capital		7	%
Poland Wind		14			Market approach		Indicative offer prices		14
Itabo (San Lorenzo)		7			Market approach		Broker quote		7
Equity method investment:
Elsta		118			Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		-55% to 17% (1%)
							Annual pretax operating margin		3% to 45% (36%)
							Weighted-average cost of capital		7	%
Total		$	154
Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
The following table sets forth the carrying amount, fair value and fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, but for which fair value is disclosed.
		Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount			Total				Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
		(in millions)
30-Sep-13
Assets
Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	297		$	164			$	—		$	—		$	164
Liabilities
Non-recourse debt		15,366			15,533				—			13,312			2,221
Recourse debt		5,670			6,108				—			6,108			—
December 31, 2012
Assets
Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	304		$	188			$	—		$	—		$	188
Liabilities
Non-recourse debt		14,781			15,506				—			13,266			2,240
Recourse debt		5,962			6,628				—			6,628			—
_____________________________
(1)	These accounts receivable principally relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and are included in “Noncurrent assets — Other” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these accounts receivable excludes value-added tax of $47 million and $55 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu

Investments In Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES	'
	INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	The Company’s investments in marketable debt and equity securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 by security class and by level within the fair value hierarchy have been disclosed in Note 3 — Fair Value. The security classes are determined based on the nature and risk of a security and are consistent with how the Company manages, monitors and measures its marketable securities. As of September 30, 2013, all available-for-sale debt securities had stated maturities within one year.
	The following table summarizes the pretax gains and losses related to available-for-sale and trading securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific-identification method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no realized losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities and no other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Gains included in earnings that relate to trading securities held at the reporting date	$	1	$	—		$	1	$	—
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities included in other comprehensive income	—		(1		)	1		(1		)
	Gains reclassified out of other comprehensive income into earnings	—		—			1		—
	Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	1,071		1,513			3,394		5,160
	Gross realized gains on sales	—		—			—		1

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	'
	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	There have been no changes to the information disclosed under “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” in Note 1 — General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in Item 8. — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in the 2012 Form 10-K.
	Volume of Activity
	The following tables set forth, by type of derivative, the Company’s outstanding notional under its derivatives and the weighted-average remaining term as of September 30, 2013 regardless of whether the derivative instruments are in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships:
			Current							Maximum
	Interest Rate and Cross Currency		Derivative			Derivative Notional Translated to USD				Derivative			Derivative Notional Translated to USD				Weighted-Average Remaining Term		% of Debt Currently Hedged by Index(2)
			Notional							Notional
			(in millions)														(in years)
	Interest Rate Derivatives:(1)
	LIBOR (U.S. Dollar)		3,581			$	3,581			4,826			$	4,826			9		72	%
	EURIBOR (Euro)		590			798				590			798				8		86	%
	LIBOR (British Pound)		68			110				68			110				12		83	%
	Cross Currency Swaps:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		6			256				6			256				8		85	%
	_____________________________
	(1)	The Company’s interest rate derivative instruments primarily include accreting and amortizing notionals. The maximum derivative notional represents the largest notional at any point between September 30, 2013 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2030 and 2028, respectively.
	(2)	The percentage of variable-rate debt currently hedged is based on the related index and excludes forecasted issuances of debt and variable-rate debt tied to other indices where the Company has no interest rate derivatives.
			30-Sep-13
	Foreign Currency Derivatives		Notional(1)			Notional Translated to USD				Weighted-Average Remaining Term(2)
			(in millions)							(in years)
	Foreign Currency Options and Forwards:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		5			$	237			1
	Chilean Peso		89,969			178				<1
	Brazilian Real		200			90				<1
	Euro		40			54				<1
	Colombian Peso		215,480			113				<1
	Argentine Peso		43			7				<1
	British Pound		66			106				<1
	Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives:
	Argentine Peso		892			154				10
	Kazakhstani Tenge		816			5				4
	_____________________________
	(1)	Represents contractual notionals. The notionals for options have not been probability adjusted, which generally would decrease them.
	(2)	Represents the remaining tenor of our foreign currency derivatives weighted by the corresponding notional. These options and forwards and these embedded derivatives range in maturity through 2016 and 2025, respectively.
			30-Sep-13
						Weighted-Average
	Commodity Derivatives		Notional			Remaining Term(1)
			(in millions)			(in years)
	Power (MWh)		9			3
	_____________________________
	(1)	Represents the remaining tenor of our commodity derivatives weighted by the corresponding volume. These derivatives range in maturity through 2016.
	Accounting and Reporting
	Assets and Liabilities
	The following tables set forth the Company’s derivative instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, first by whether or not they are designated hedging instruments, then by whether they are current or noncurrent to the extent they are subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements (where the rights to set-off relate to settlement of amounts receivable and payable under those derivatives) and by balances no longer accounted for as derivatives.
			30-Sep-13												31-Dec-12
			Designated				Not Designated				Total				Designated				Not Designated		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Interest rate derivatives		$	42			$	2			$	44			$	—			$	2	$	2
	Cross currency derivatives		6				—				6				6				—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		6				108				114				—				81		81
	Commodity derivatives		8				26				34				2				9		11
	Total assets		$	62			$	136			$	198			$	8			$	92	$	100
	Liabilities
	Interest rate derivatives		$	338			$	14			$	352			$	544			$	21	$	565
	Cross currency derivatives		3				—				3				6				—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		13				8				21				7				7		14
	Commodity derivatives		10				10				20				8				9		17
	Total liabilities		$	364			$	32			$	396			$	565			$	37	$	602
			30-Sep-13								31-Dec-12
			Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
			(in millions)
	Current		$	36			$	136			$	14			$	178
Noncurrent		162				260				86				424
Total		$	198			$	396			$	100			$	602
Derivatives subject to master netting agreement or similar agreement:
Gross (which equals net) amounts recognized in the balance sheet		$	79			$	368			$	25			$	522
Gross amounts of derivative instruments not offset		(11		)		(11		)		(9		)		(9		)
Gross amounts of cash collateral received/pledged not offset		—				(4		)		—				(5		)
Net amount		$	68			$	353			$	16			$	508
Other balances that had been, but are no longer, accounted for as derivatives that are to be amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the associated PPA		$	173			$	190			$	186			$	191
Effective Portion of Cash Flow Hedges
The following tables set forth the pretax gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and earnings related to the effective portion of derivative instruments in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships (including amounts that were reclassified from AOCL as interest expense related to interest rate derivative instruments that previously, but no longer, qualify for cash flow hedge accounting), as defined in the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Gains (Losses)										Gains (Losses) Reclassified
		Recognized in AOCL										from AOCL into Earnings
		Three Months Ended								Classification in		Three Months Ended
		September 30,								Condensed Consolidated		September 30,
Type of Derivative		2013				2012				Statements of Operations		2013				2012
		(in millions)										(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		$	10			$	(62	)		Interest expense		$	(32	)		$	(40	)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(1		)
										Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(1		)		(2		)
										Asset impairment expense		—				(5		)
Cross currency derivatives		2				4				Interest expense		(4		)		(3		)
										Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		4				15
Foreign currency derivatives		(1		)		—				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		3				4
Commodity derivatives		(4		)		(4		)		Non-regulated revenue		(3		)		—
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
Total		$	7			$	(62	)				$	(35	)		$	(32	)
		Gains (Losses)										Gains (Losses) Reclassified
		Recognized in AOCL										from AOCL into Earnings
		Nine Months Ended								Classification in		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								Condensed Consolidated		September 30,
Type of Derivative		2013				2012				Statements of Operations		2013				2012
		(in millions)										(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		$	131			$	(204	)		Interest expense		$	(95	)		$	(102	)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		(4		)
										Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(5		)		(4		)
										Gain on sale of investments		(21		)		(96		)
										Asset impairment expense		—				(5		)
Cross currency derivatives		(9		)		9				Interest expense		(10		)		(9		)
										Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		(10		)		27
Foreign currency derivatives		1				12				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				4
Commodity derivatives		(2		)		(11		)		Non-regulated revenue		(4		)		(2		)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
Total		$	121			$	(194	)				$	(142	)		$	(191	)
The pretax accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) expected to be recognized as an increase (decrease) to income from continuing operations before income taxes over the next twelve months as of September 30, 2013 is $(111) million for interest rate hedges, $10 million for cross currency swaps, $2 million for foreign currency hedges, and $(5) million for commodity and other hedges.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, pre-tax losses of $11 million, net of noncontrolling interests were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of a cash flow hedge because it was probable that the forecasted transaction would not occur by the end of the originally specified time period (as documented at the inception of the hedging relationship) or within an additional two-month time period thereafter. There was no such item for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Ineffective Portion of Cash Flow Hedges
The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of derivative instruments in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, as defined in the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
				Gains (Losses)
				Recognized in Earnings
		Classification in		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		Condensed Consolidated		September 30,								September 30,
Type of Derivative		Statements of Operations		2013				2012				2013				2012
				(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	(1	)		$	(2	)		$	29			$	(1	)
		Net equity in earnings of affiliates		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(1	)
Cross currency derivatives		Interest expense		—				(1		)		—				(1		)
Total				$	(1	)		$	(3	)		$	29			$	(3	)
Not Designated for Hedge Accounting
The following table sets forth the gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging and the amortization of balances that had been, but are no longer, accounted for as derivatives, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
				Gains (Losses)
				Recognized in Earnings
		Classification in Condensed Consolidated		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		Statements of Operations		September 30,								September 30,
Type of Derivative				2013				2012				2013				2012
				(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	(1	)		$	(2	)		$	1			$	(5	)
		Net equity in earnings of affiliates		—				—				(6		)		—
Foreign currency derivatives		Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		24				(11		)		47				(87		)
		Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(7		)		—				(22		)		—
Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		4				(1		)		8				13
		Regulated revenue		—				(3		)		—				(2		)
		Non-regulated cost of sales		(2		)		1				(1		)		4
		Regulated cost of sales		1				(3		)		12				(20		)
		Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses		2				15				(10		)		2
Total				$	21			$	(4	)		$	29			$	(95	)
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
DP&L, a utility within our United States strategic business unit, has certain over-the-counter commodity derivative contracts under master netting agreements that contain provisions that require DP&L to maintain an investment-grade issuer credit rating from credit rating agencies. Since DP&L's rating has fallen below investment grade, certain of the counterparties to the derivative contracts have requested immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization of the mark-to-market loss (fair value excluding credit valuation adjustments), which was $10 million and $13 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, for all derivatives with credit risk-related contingent features. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, DP&L had posted $4 million and $5 million, respectively, of cash collateral directly with third parties and in a broker margin account and DP&L held no cash collateral from counterparties to its derivative instruments that were in an asset position. After consideration of the netting of counterparty assets, DP&L could have been required to, but did not, provide additional collateral of $1 million and $2 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Financing_Receivables

Financing Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
FINANCING RECEIVABLES	'
	FINANCING RECEIVABLES
	Financing receivables are defined as receivables that have contractual maturities of greater than one year. The Company has financing receivables pursuant to amended agreements or government resolutions that are due from certain Latin American governmental bodies, primarily in Argentina. The following table sets forth the breakdown of financing receivables by country as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			30-Sep-13		December 31, 2012
			(in millions)
	Argentina(1)		$	182	$	196
	Dominican Republic		12		35
	Brazil		23		8
	Total long-term financing receivables		$	217	$	239
	_____________________________
	(1)	Excludes noncurrent receivables of $127 million and $120 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $97 million and $69 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	Argentina - As a result of energy market reforms in 2004 and consistent with contractual arrangements, AES Argentina entered into three agreements with the Argentine government called (as translated into English) the Fund for the Investment Needed to Increase the Supply of Electricity in the Wholesale Market (“FONINVEMEM Agreements”) to contribute a portion of their accounts receivable into a fund for financing the construction of combined cycle and gas-fired plants. These receivables accrue interest and are collected in monthly installments over 10 years once the related plant begins operations. In addition, AES Argentina receives an ownership interest in these newly built plants once the receivables have been fully repaid. Collection of the principal and interest on these receivables is subject to various business risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the completion and operation of power plants which generate cash for payments of these receivables, regulatory changes that could impact the timing and amount of collections, and economic conditions in Argentina. The Company monitors these risks including the credit ratings of the Argentine government on a quarterly basis to assess the collectability of these receivables. The Company accrues interest on these receivables once the recognition criteria have been met. The Company’s collection estimates are based on assumptions that it believes to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain. Actual future cash flows could differ from these estimates.
	The receivables under the first two FONINVEMEM Agreements are being actively collected since the related plants commenced operations in 2010. In assessing the collectability of the receivables under these agreements, the Company also considers how the collections have historically been made timely in accordance with the agreements. The receivables related to the third FONINVEMEM Agreement are not currently due as commercial operation of the two related gas-fired plants has not been achieved. In assessing the collectability of the receivables under this agreement, the Company also considers the extent to which significant milestones necessary to complete the plants have been achieved or are still probable.
	On March 26, 2013, the Argentine government passed Resolution No. 95/2013 ("Resolution 95") to develop a new energy regulatory framework that would apply to all generation companies with certain exceptions. The new regulatory framework remunerates fixed and variable costs plus a margin that will depend on both the technology and fuel used to generate the electricity. On May 31, 2013, Resolution 95 became effective retroactively to February 1, 2013. During June 2013, CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, started the implementation by billing the transactions according to the Resolution 95 procedures. In addition, Resolution 95 determines the portion of future outstanding receivables that shall be contributed into the new trusts to be set up by the Argentine government.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	Recourse Debt — On April 30, 2013, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2023. On May 17, 2013, the Company issued an additional $250 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2023 to form a single series with the notes issued on April 30, 2013. After this offering, the Company completed the redemption of $928 million aggregate principal of its existing 7.75% senior notes due 2014, 7.75% senior notes due 2015, 9.75% senior notes due 2016, and 8.0% senior notes due 2017 through respective tender offers in May 2013. In June 2013, the Company redeemed an additional $122 million of its 7.75% senior notes due 2014 as per the optional redemption provisions of the senior note indentures. As a result of these transactions, the Company voluntarily reduced outstanding principal by $300 million and extended maturities of an additional $750 million to 10 years. The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $163 million on these transactions that is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	On July 26, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment No. 3 to the senior secured credit facility dated as of July 29, 2010 that amended the terms and conditions of the senior secured credit facility, including the following changes:
	•	the final maturity date of the senior secured credit facility is extended to July 26, 2018 from January 29, 2015;
	•	the interest rate margin applicable to the senior secured credit facility is based on the credit rating assigned to the loans under the senior secured credit facility, with pricing currently at LIBOR + 2.25%;
	•	there is an undrawn fee of 0.50% per annum; and
	•	the subsidiary guarantors party to the senior secured credit facility are released from their obligations under the old senior secured credit facility and have no obligations under the amended senior secured credit facility.
	The aggregate commitment for the senior secured credit facility remains $800 million.
	Non-Recourse Debt
	Significant transactions
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had the following significant debt transactions at our subsidiaries:
	•	Tietê issued new debt of $496 million partially offset by repayments of $396 million;
	•	El Salvador issued new debt of $310 million partially offset by repayments of $301 million;
	•	Sul issued new debt of $150 million partially offset by repayments of $40 million;
	•	Mong Duong drew $339 million under its construction loan facility;
	•	DPL terminated its $425 million term loan and replaced it with a new $200 million term loan;
	•	DP&L issued $445 million of first mortgage bonds to partially repay $470 million of existing bonds which were repaid at par on October 1, 2013;
	•	IPL issued new debt of $170 million partially offset by repayments of $110 million;
	•	Masinloc refinanced its senior debt facility of $500 million and incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $43 million. See Note 12—Other Income and Expense for further information;
	•	Jordan drew $138 million under its construction loan facility; and
	•	Cochrane drew $120 million under its construction loan facility.
	Debt in default
	The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default or accelerated as of September 30, 2013 and is classified as current non-recourse debt unless otherwise indicated:
			Primary Nature	30-Sep-13
	Subsidiary		of Default	Default Amount		Net Assets
				(in millions)
	Maritza		Covenant	$	836	$	684
	Kavarna		Covenant	202		84
				$	1,038
	_____________________________
	In addition to the defaults listed in the table above, Sonel and Kribi in Cameroon and Saurashtra in India have been classified as discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2013, Sonel and Kribi had debt in default of $255 million and $256 million; and net assets of $398 million and $46 million, respectively. Although currently not in default, debt of $21 million at Saurashtra has been classified as current because a covenant violation is probable within the next twelve months. Net assets at Saurashtra as of September 30, 2013 were $2 million. For further information please see Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-for-Sale Businesses.
	The above defaults are not payment defaults, but are instead defaults triggered by failure to comply with other covenants and/or other conditions such as (but not limited to) failure to meet information covenants, complete construction or other milestones in an allocated time, meet certain minimum or maximum financial ratios, or other requirements contained in the non-recourse debt documents of the borrower.
	In addition, in the event that there is a default, bankruptcy or maturity acceleration at a subsidiary or group of subsidiaries that meets the applicable definition of materiality under the corporate debt agreements of The AES Corporation, there could be a cross-default to the Company’s recourse debt. As of September 30, 2013, none of the defaults listed above individually or in the aggregate results in a cross-default under the recourse debt of the Company.

Contingencies_and_Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS	'
	CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
	Guarantees, Letters of Credit and Commitments
	In connection with certain project financing, acquisition, power purchase and other agreements, the Parent Company has expressly undertaken limited obligations and commitments, most of which will only be effective or will be terminated upon the occurrence of future events. In the normal course of business, the Parent Company has entered into various agreements, mainly guarantees and letters of credit, to provide financial or performance assurance to third parties on behalf of AES businesses. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise achieved by a business on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the availability of sufficient credit to accomplish their intended business purposes. Most of the contingent obligations relate to future performance commitments which the Company or its businesses expect to fulfill within the normal course of business. The expiration dates of these guarantees vary from less than one year to more than 21 years.
	The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013. Amounts presented in the table below represent the Parent Company’s current undiscounted exposure to guarantees and the range of maximum undiscounted potential exposure. The maximum exposure is not reduced by the amounts, if any, that could be recovered under the recourse or collateralization provisions in the guarantees. The amounts include obligations made by the Parent Company for the direct benefit of the lenders associated with the non-recourse debt of its businesses of $24 million.
	Contingent Contractual Obligations	Amount		Number of	Maximum Exposure Range for
				Agreements	Each Agreement
		(in millions)			(in millions)
	Guarantees and commitments	$	654	21	<$1 - 275
	Cash collateralized letters of credit	192		11	<$1 - 132
	Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility	3		4	<$1 - 2
	Total	$	849	36
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company paid letter of credit fees ranging from 0.2% to 2.5% per annum on the outstanding amounts of letters of credit.
	Environmental
	The Company periodically reviews its obligations as they relate to compliance with environmental laws, including site restoration and remediation. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had recorded liabilities of $8 million for projected environmental remediation costs. Due to the uncertainties associated with environmental assessment and remediation activities, future costs of compliance or remediation could be higher or lower than the amount currently accrued. Moreover, where no reserve has been recognized, it is reasonably possible that the Company may be required to incur remediation costs or make expenditures in amounts that could be material but could not be estimated as of September 30, 2013. In aggregate, the Company estimates that the range of potential losses related to environmental matters, where estimable, to be from $8 million up to $46 million. The amounts considered reasonably possible do not include amounts reserved as discussed above.
	Litigation
	The Company is involved in certain claims, suits and legal proceedings in the normal course of business. The Company accrues for litigation and claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company has evaluated claims in accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies that it deems both probable and reasonably estimable and, accordingly, has recorded aggregate reserves for all claims of approximately $260 million and $320 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These reserves are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within “accrued and other liabilities” and “other noncurrent liabilities.” A significant portion of the reserves relate to employment, non-income tax and customer disputes in international jurisdictions, principally Brazil. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, principally in Brazil, are defendants in a number of labor and employment lawsuits. The complaints generally seek unspecified monetary damages, injunctive relief, or other relief. The subsidiaries have denied any liability and intend to vigorously defend themselves in all of these proceedings. There can be no assurance that these reserves will be adequate to cover all existing and future claims or that we will have the liquidity to pay such claims as they arise.
	The Company believes, based upon information it currently possesses and taking into account established reserves for liabilities and its insurance coverage, that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings and actions is unlikely to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, where no reserve has been recognized, it is reasonably possible that some matters could be decided unfavorably to the Company and could require the Company to pay damages or make expenditures in amounts that could be material but could not be estimated as of September 30, 2013. The material contingencies where a loss is reasonably possible primarily include: claims under financing agreements; disputes with offtakers, suppliers and EPC contractors; alleged violation of monopoly laws and regulations; income tax and non-income tax matters with tax authorities; and regulatory matters. In aggregate, the Company estimates that the range of potential losses, where estimable, related to these reasonably possible material contingencies to be between $889 million and $1.4 billion. The amounts considered reasonably possible do not include amounts reserved, as discussed above. These material contingencies do not include income tax-related contingencies which are considered part of our uncertain tax positions.

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
PENSION PLANS	'
	PENSION PLANS
	Total pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 included the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013						2012						2013						2012
		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	4		$	6		$	4		$	4		$	12		$	20		$	11		$	13
	Interest cost	11			122			11			123			33			394			35			390
	Expected return on plan assets	(15		)	(114		)	(13		)	(107		)	(46		)	(371		)	(41		)	(340		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	1			—			1			—			4			—			4			—
	Amortization of net loss	7			18			6			9			21			59			18			30
	Total pension cost	$	8		$	32		$	9		$	29		$	24		$	102		$	27		$	93
	Total employer contributions for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 for the Company’s U.S. and foreign subsidiaries were $52 million and $109 million, respectively. The expected remaining scheduled employer contributions for 2013 are zero and $55 million for U.S. and foreign subsidiaries, respectively.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
EQUITY	'
	EQUITY
	Changes in Equity
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending equity attributable to stockholders of The AES Corporation, noncontrolling interests and total equity as of September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013											Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
			The AES				Noncontrolling				Total			The AES			Noncontrolling			Total
			Corporation				Interests				Equity			Corporation			Interests			Equity
			Stockholders’											Stockholders’
			Equity											Equity
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	4,569			$	2,945			$	7,514		$	5,946		$	3,783		$	9,729
	Net income (loss)		320				435				755			(1,087		)	407			(680		)
	Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(158		)		(65		)		(223		)	(158		)	(111		)	(269		)
	Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		151				54				205			6			(20		)	(14		)
	Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		9				30				39			5			14			19
	Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests		—				86				86			—			12			12
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—				(382		)		(382		)	—			(625		)	(625		)
	Disposition of businesses		—				(20		)		(20		)	—			(37		)	(37		)
	Acquisition of treasury stock		(63		)		—				(63		)	(301		)	—			(301		)
	Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax		39				—				39			40			—			40
	Dividends declared on common stock ($0.08 per share)		(60		)		—				(60		)	(30		)	—			(30		)
	Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests		12				71				83			—			—			—
	Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests		(6		)		(1		)		(7		)	3			(11		)	(8		)
	Balance at September 30		$	4,813			$	3,153			$	7,966		$	4,424		$	3,412		$	7,836
	Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed transactions which increased noncontrolling interests in Alto Maipo and Cochrane, two projects under development in Chile. Although there was a decrease in the Company's ownership, the Company did not lose control of either project, which continue to be accounted for as consolidated subsidiaries. The difference between the fair value of the consideration received for these transactions and the corresponding adjustment to noncontrolling interest of $12 million was recognized as an equity transaction through Additional Paid-in Capital.
	The following table summarizes the net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation and all transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013				2012
			(in millions)
	Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	320			$	(1,087	)
	Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interest:
	Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares		12				—
	Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares		(6		)		3
	Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest		6				3
	Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	326			$	(1,084	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax and noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Unrealized				Unfunded				Available for sale securities, net			Foreign currency			Total
			derivative				pension							translation
			losses, net				obligations, net							adjustment, net
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	(481	)		$	(382	)		$	—		$	(2,057	)	$	(2,920	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		54				—				(1		)	(194		)	(141		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		97				9				1			36			143
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		151				9				—			(158		)	2
	Balance at September 30		$	(330	)		$	(373	)		$	—		$	(2,215	)	$	(2,918	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
	Details About Accumulated Other		Affected Line Item in the Condensed		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Comprehensive Loss Components		Consolidated Statement of Operations
					(in millions)
	Unrealized derivative losses, net
			Non-regulated revenue		$	(3	)		$	(4	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(2		)		(4		)
			Interest expense		(36		)		(105		)
			Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
			Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				(3		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(34		)		(137		)
			Income tax expense		8				30
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(1		)		(5		)
			Income from continuing operations		(27		)		(112		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		2				15
			Net income attributable to the AES Corporation		$	(25	)		$	(97	)
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net
		Regulated cost of sales		(17		)		(56		)
		Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(3		)
		Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(18		)		(59		)
		Income tax expense		6				20
		Income from continuing operations		(12		)		(39		)
		Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		9				30
		Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	(3	)		$	(9	)
Available-for-sale securities, net
		Interest income		$	—			$	(1	)
		Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(1	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
		Gain on sale of investments		$	—			$	(1	)
		Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		—				(35		)
		Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(36	)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests				$	(28	)		$	(143	)
_____________________________
(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Stock Repurchase Program
During the three months ended September 30, 2013, shares of common stock repurchased under the existing stock repurchase program (the "Program") totaled 3,738,142 at a total cost of $45 million. The cumulative purchases under the Program totaled 64,012,231 shares at a total cost of $743 million, which includes a nominal amount of commissions (average price per share of $11.60, including commissions). As of September 30, 2013, $237 million was available under the Program.
The common stock repurchased has been classified as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method. A total of 70,832,607 and 66,415,984 shares were held as treasury stock at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Restricted stock units under the Company’s employee benefit plans are issued from treasury stock. The Company has not retired any common stock repurchased since it began the Program in July 2010.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENTS	'
	SEGMENTS
	The segment reporting structure uses the Company’s management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how the Company manages the business internally with further aggregation by geographic regions to provide better socio-political-economic understanding of our business. The management reporting structure is organized along six strategic business units (“SBUs”) — led by our Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), who in turn reports to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Company applied the accounting guidance for segment reporting which provides certain qualitative and quantitative thresholds and aggregation criteria. In 2013, the Company concluded that the Gener operating segment met the quantitative threshold to require separate presentation. As such, an additional reportable segment, which consists solely of the results of Gener, is now reported as Andes — Gener — Generation. Gener was previously included as part of the Andes — Generation reportable segment. All of the remaining businesses that were formerly part of the Andes — Generation reportable segment are now reported as Andes — Other — Generation. All prior-period results have been retrospectively revised to reflect the new segment reporting structure. The Company has increased from eight to the following nine reportable segments based on the six strategic business units:
	•	US — Generation;
	•	US — Utilities;
	•	Andes — Gener — Generation;
	•	Andes — Other — Generation;
	•	Brazil — Generation;
	•	Brazil — Utilities;
	•	MCAC — Generation;
	•	EMEA — Generation; and
	•	Asia — Generation.
	Corporate and Other — The Company’s EMEA and MCAC Utilities operating segments are reported within “Corporate and Other” because they do not meet the criteria to allow for aggregation with another operating segment or the quantitative thresholds that would require separate disclosure under the segment reporting accounting guidance. None of these operating segments are currently material to our presentation of reportable segments, individually or in the aggregate. Silver Ridge Power (formerly AES Solar Holding Company) and certain other unconsolidated businesses are accounted for using the equity method of accounting; therefore, their operating results are included in “Net Equity in Earnings of Affiliates” on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, not in revenue or Adjusted pre-tax contribution (“Adjusted PTC”). “Corporate and Other” also includes corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our nine reportable segments and other intercompany charges such as self-insurance premiums which are fully eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company uses Adjusted PTC as its primary segment performance measure. Adjusted PTC, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to AES excluding unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses, gains or losses due to dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, losses due to impairments and costs due to the early retirement of debt. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company changed the definition of Adjusted PTC to exclude the gains or losses attributable to AES common stockholders at our equity method investments for these same types of items. Previously, these amounts were not excluded from the calculation of Adjusted PTC. Accordingly, the Company has also reflected the change in the comparative three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012. The Company has concluded that Adjusted PTC best reflects the underlying business performance of the Company and is the most relevant measure considered in the Company’s internal evaluation of the financial performance of its segments. Additionally, given its large number of businesses and complexity, the Company concluded that Adjusted PTC is a more transparent measure that better assists the investor in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the overall Company results.
	Total revenue includes inter-segment revenue primarily related to the transfer of electricity from generation plants to utilities within Brazil. No material inter-segment revenue relationships exist between other segments. Corporate allocations include certain self-insurance activities which are reflected within segment adjusted PTC. All intra-segment activity has been eliminated with respect to revenue and adjusted PTC within the segment. Inter-segment activity has been eliminated within the total consolidated results. Asset information for businesses that were discontinued or classified as held-for-sale as of September 30, 2013 is segregated and is shown in the line “Discontinued Businesses” in the accompanying segment tables.
	Information about the Company’s operations by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
	Revenue		Total Revenue								Intersegment								External Revenue
	Three Months Ended September 30,		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in millions)
	US — Generation		$	207			$	222			$	—			$	—			$	207			$	222
	US — Utilities		763				796				—				—				763				796
	Andes — Gener — Generation		539				568				—				(8		)		539				560
	Andes — Other — Generation		89				207				—				(1		)		89				206
	Brazil — Generation		272				268				(222		)		(260		)		50				8
	Brazil — Utilities		1,224				1,448				—				—				1,224				1,448
	MCAC — Generation		469				437				—				(1		)		469				436
	EMEA — Generation		333				268				—				—				333				268
	Asia — Generation		113				191				—				—				113				191
	Corporate and Other		217				222				(1		)		(2		)		216				220
	Total Revenue		$	4,226			$	4,627			$	(223	)		$	(272	)		$	4,003			$	4,355
	Revenue		Total Revenue								Intersegment								External Revenue
	Nine Months Ended September 30,		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in millions)
	US — Generation		$	567			$	636			$	—			$	—			$	567			$	636
	US — Utilities		2,159				2,206				—				—				2,159				2,206
	Andes — Gener — Generation		1,738				1,711				—				(26		)		1,738				1,685
	Andes — Other — Generation		306				568				(1		)		(1		)		305				567
	Brazil — Generation		937				847				(752		)		(790		)		185				57
	Brazil — Utilities		3,749				4,209				—				—				3,749				4,209
	MCAC — Generation		1,398				1,256				(1		)		(2		)		1,397				1,254
	EMEA — Generation		970				998				—				(1		)		970				997
	Asia — Generation		388				553				—				—				388				553
	Corporate and Other		655				646				(5		)		(3		)		650				643
	Total Revenue		$	12,867			$	13,630			$	(759	)		$	(823	)		$	12,108			$	12,807
		Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution(1)		Total Adjusted								Intersegment								External Adjusted
		Three Months Ended September 30,		Pre-tax Contribution																Pre-tax Contribution
				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
				(in millions)
		US — Generation		$	44			$	40			$	3			$	11			$	47			$	51
		US — Utilities		87				108				—				—				87				108
		Andes — Gener — Generation		59				88				3				(4		)		62				84
		Andes — Other — Generation		50				20				3				1				53				21
		Brazil — Generation		37				45				(53		)		(63		)		(16		)		(18		)
		Brazil — Utilities		48				40				36				42				84				82
		MCAC — Generation		90				87				5				2				95				89
		EMEA — Generation		68				53				3				5				71				58
		Asia — Generation		30				53				1				—				31				53
		Corporate and Other		(126		)		(154		)		(1		)		6				(127		)		(148		)
		Total Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution		387				380				—				—				387				380
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)		7				(22		)
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)		22				22
	Disposition/acquisition gains		4				25
Impairment losses		(236		)		(1,893		)
Pre-tax contribution		184				(1,488		)
Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests		217				230
Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates		15				25
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	386			$	(1,283	)
	Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution(1)		Total Adjusted								Intersegment								External Adjusted
	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Pre-tax Contribution																Pre-tax Contribution
			2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in millions)
	US — Generation		$	150			$	118			$	7			$	31			$	157			$	149
	US — Utilities		181				197				1				1				182				198
	Andes — Gener — Generation		190				207				8				(14		)		198				193
	Andes — Other — Generation		84				61				5				2				89				63
	Brazil — Generation		143				142				(181		)		(190		)		(38		)		(48		)
	Brazil — Utilities		61				105				122				128				183				233
	MCAC — Generation		227				246				11				6				238				252
	EMEA — Generation		236				288				6				(3		)		242				285
	Asia — Generation		101				141				2				1				103				142
	Corporate and Other		(427		)		(503		)		19				38				(408		)		(465		)
	Total Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution		946				1,002				—				—				946				1,002
Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Unrealized derivative gains (losses)		46				(88		)
Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)		(25		)		8
Disposition/acquisition gains		30				206
Impairment losses		(284		)		(1,973		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(207		)		—
Pre-tax contribution		506				(845		)
Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests		620				586
Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates		21				49
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	1,105			$	(308	)
_____________________________
(1)	Adjusted pre-tax contribution in each segment before intersegment eliminations includes the effect of intercompany transactions with other segments except for interest, charges for certain management fees and the write-off of intercompany balances.
Assets by segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
		Total Assets
		30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
		(in millions)
Assets
US — Generation		$	3,151			$	3,259
US — Utilities		7,924				7,534
Andes — Gener — Generation		5,969				5,820
Andes — Other — Generation		761				799
Brazil — Generation		1,494				1,590
Brazil — Utilities		7,300				8,120
MCAC — Generation		4,434				4,293
EMEA — Generation		4,125				4,178
Asia — Generation		2,717				2,583
Discontinued businesses		1,609				1,727
Corporate and Other & eliminations		1,766				1,927
Total Assets		$	41,250			$	41,830

Other_Income_and_Expense

Other Income and Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE	'
	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
	Other Income
	Other income generally includes contract terminations, gains on asset sales and extinguishments of liabilities, favorable judgments on contingencies, and other income from miscellaneous transactions. The components of other income are summarized as follows:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in millions)
		Contract termination	$	—	$	—	$	60	$	—
		Reversal of legal contingency	10		—		10		—
		Gain on sale of assets	2		2		9		5
		Insurance proceeds	—		—		—		10
		Other	13		5		27		24
		Total other income	$	25	$	7	$	106	$	39
	Other Expense
	Other expense generally includes losses on asset sales, legal contingencies and losses from other miscellaneous transactions. The components of other expense are summarized as follows:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in millions)
		Loss on sale and disposal of assets	$	12	$	13	$	36	$	48
		Contract termination	—		—		7		—
		Other	3		2		15		8
		Total other expense	$	15	$	15	$	58	$	56

Goodwill_Impairment_Goodwill_I

Goodwill Impairment Goodwill Impairment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill Impairment [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT	'
	GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
	Ebute—During the third quarter of 2013, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test at the Ebute reporting unit, a 294 MW gas-fired plant in Nigeria. Ebute currently operates on leased land located within the PHCN Egbin Power Station Compound (“Egbin”) in Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos. A controlling stake in Egbin was sold to a private investor as part of the Nigerian government privatization program in 2007, but the sale transaction did not close until the third quarter of 2013. The Company has been evaluating Ebute's future options for the continuation of the plant operation after the end of the current PPA on an ongoing basis. The viability of a number of such options is subject to the Company's ability to secure amongst other things long-term land rights, permits, gas transportation and supply agreements, and a new or extended PPA. In this evaluation, the Company has been continually assessing the probability of success of each of these options. Based on communications to and from the Nigerian government and other power sector stakeholders it interacts with to secure the required key project components and agreements, in September 2013, management determined that the prospects for Ebute's future expansion have significantly reduced. These adverse developments were considered as impairment indicators for Ebute's goodwill and long-lived assets. The long-lived assets were deemed recoverable based on the undiscounted cash flow recoverability analysis. In Step 1, the fair value of Ebute was determined using the income approach based on a discounted cash flow valuation model. The significant assumptions included within the discounted cash flow valuation model were the ability to obtain an extension to the existing land lease, permits, gas transportation and supply agreements, future PPA terms, maintenance and growth capital expenditures, and discount rates. Ebute failed Step 1 as the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Consequently, a preliminary Step 2 was performed to measure the goodwill impairment expense. In the preliminary Step 2, the fair value of the reporting unit was allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities in accordance with the relevant accounting guidance and Ebute's goodwill did not have any value. Therefore, the entire goodwill balance of $58 million was recognized as goodwill impairment expense. At this time, management is continuing its review of the preliminary Step 2 calculations including the valuation report from an independent valuation firm. If necessary, management will record an adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2013 to finalize this estimate. Ebute is reported in EMEA Generation segment.
	DPL—In connection with its acquisition of DPL in 2011, the Company recognized goodwill of approximately $2.6 billion which was allocated between the two reporting units identified during the purchase price allocation: The Dayton Power and Light Company (“DP&L”, DPL’s regulated utility in Ohio) and DPL Energy Resources, Inc. (“DPLER”, DPL’s wholly-owned competitive retail electric service provider). Of the total goodwill, approximately $2.4 billion was allocated to DP&L and the remainder was allocated to DPLER.
	On October 5, 2012, DP&L filed an Electric Security Plan (“ESP”) for approval with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (“PUCO”). Within the ESP filing, DP&L agreed to request a separation of its generation assets from its transmission and distribution assets in recognition that a restructuring of DP&L operations will be necessary, in compliance with Ohio law. Also, during 2012, North American natural gas prices fell significantly from the previous year exerting downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices in the Ohio power market. Falling power prices compressed wholesale margins at DP&L. Furthermore, these lower power prices led to increased switching from DP&L to other competitive retail electric service (“CRES”) providers, including DPLER, who were offering retail prices lower than DP&L’s current standard service offer. Also, several municipalities in DP&L’s service territory passed ordinances allowing them to become government aggregators and some municipalities contracted with CRES providers to provide generation service to the customers located within the municipal boundaries, further contributing to the switching trend. CRES providers also became more active in DP&L’s service territory. In September 2012, management revised its cash flow forecasts based on these developments and forecasted lower profitability and operating cash flows than previously prepared forecasts. These developments reduced DP&L’s forecasted profitability, operating cash flows and liquidity. Collectively, in the third quarter of 2012, these events were considered an interim impairment indicator for DPL’s goodwill at the DP&L reporting unit. There were no interim impairment indicators identified for the goodwill at DPLER.
	The Company performed an interim impairment test on the $2.4 billion of goodwill at the DP&L reporting unit level during the third quarter of 2012. In the preliminary Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test, the fair value of the reporting unit was determined under the income approach using a discounted cash flow valuation model. The material assumptions included within the discounted cash flow valuation model were customer switching and aggregation trends, capacity price curves, energy price curves, amount of the nonbypassable charge, commodity price curves, dispatching, transition period for the conversion to a wholesale competitive bidding structure, amount of the standard service offer charge, valuation of regulatory assets and liabilities, discount rates and deferred income taxes. The reporting unit failed the preliminary Step 1 test and a preliminary Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test was performed. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment expense of $1.85 billion, which represented its best estimate of the impairment loss based on the latest information then available and the results of the preliminary Step 1 and Step 2 tests. DPL is reported in the US Utilities segment.
	The goodwill associated with the DPL acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. Accordingly, there was no cash tax or financial statement tax benefit related to the impairment. The Company’s effective tax rates were impacted by the pretax impairment, however. The Company’s effective tax rates were (13)% and (167)% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012. In both of these periods, the Company had worldwide tax expense on a loss from continuing operations.

Asset_Impairment_Expense

Asset Impairment Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE	'
	ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Poland wind projects	$	65	$	—	$	65	$	—
	Beaver Valley	—		—		46		—
	Itabo (San Lorenzo)	15		—		15		—
	Wind turbines and projects	—		36		—		40
	Kelanitissa	—		5		—		17
	St. Patrick	—		—		—		11
	Other	1		2		3		3
	Total asset impairment expense	$	81	$	43	$	129	$	71
	Poland Wind Projects —During the third quarter of 2013, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that it would dispose of its remaining Poland wind development projects through sale or abandonment which was deemed to be an impairment indicator. The Company had acquired ownership interests ranging between 61% to 89% in the entities holding these wind development projects since 2010. This decision was driven by the continued uncertainty in the tariff regime for renewable energy in Poland. The Company performed long-lived asset impairment tests considering different scenarios and determined that, based on undiscounted cash flows, the carrying amounts of the projects were not recoverable. The fair values of the projects were determined using the market approach based on an indicative offer price for all of the projects and their aggregate carrying amount of $79 million exceeded their aggregate fair value of $14 million. As a result, an asset impairment expense of $65 million was recognized. Poland Wind is reported in the EMEA Generation Segment.
	Itabo (San Lorenzo)—During the third quarter of 2013, the Company tested the recoverability of long-lived assets at San Lorenzo, a 35 Megawatt ("MW") LNG fueled plant of Itabo. Itabo was informed by Super-Intendencia de Electridad (“SIE”), the system regulator in the Dominican Republic, that it would not receive capacity revenue going forward. This communication in combination with current adverse market conditions were determined to be an impairment indicator. The Company performed a long-lived asset impairment test considering different scenarios and determined that, based on undiscounted cash flows, the carrying amount of San Lorenzo was not recoverable. The fair value of San Lorenzo was determined using the market approach based on a broker quote and it was determined that its carrying amount of $22 million exceeded the estimated fair value of $7 million. As a result, the Company recognized an asset impairment expense of $15 million. Itabo is reported in the MCAC Generation segment.
	Beaver Valley — In January 2013, Beaver Valley, a wholly-owned 125 MW coal-fired plant in Pennsylvania, entered into an agreement to early terminate its PPA with the offtaker in exchange for a lump-sum payment of $60 million which was received on January 9, 2013. The termination was effective January 8, 2013. Beaver Valley also terminated its fuel supply agreement. Under the PPA termination agreement, annual capacity agreements between the offtaker and PJM Interconnection, LLC (“PJM”) (a regional transmission organization) for 2013 - 2016 have been assigned to Beaver Valley. The termination of the PPA resulted in a significant reduction in the future cash flows of the asset group and was considered an impairment indicator. The carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable. The carrying amount of the asset group exceeded the fair value of the asset group, resulting in an asset impairment expense of $46 million. Beaver Valley is reported in the US Generation segment.
	Wind Turbines and Projects— During the third quarter of 2012, the Company determined that all turbines held in storage met the held-for-sale criteria due to less viable internal deployment scenarios and the ongoing receipt of offers from potential buyers. Accordingly, the Company measured the turbines at fair value less cost to sell under the market approach. The turbines with a carrying amount of $45 million were written down to their fair value less cost to sell of $25 million, which resulted in an impairment expense of $20 million. In addition, the Company determined that two early-stage wind development projects that were capitalizing certain project costs were no longer probable because of the Company’s shift in capital allocation for developing these projects. The Company assessed the value of the projects using the market approach and, after consultation with third party valuation firms and internal development staff, the fair value was determined to be zero. A full impairment of $16 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2012. These wind turbines and projects were reported in US Generation segment.
	Kelanitissa—During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized asset impairment expense of $17 million for the long-lived assets at Kelanitissa, a diesel-fired generation plant in Sri Lanka. The Company continued to evaluate the recoverability of its long-lived assets at Kelanitissa as a result of both the requirement to transfer the plant to the government at the end of PPA and the expectation of lower future operating cash flows. The evaluations during this period indicated that the long-lived assets were no longer recoverable and, accordingly, were written down to their estimated fair value of $10 million based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The long-lived assets had a carrying amount of $22 million prior to the recognition of asset impairment expense. Kelanitissa is reported in the Asia Generation reportable segment.
	St. Patrick—During the second quarter of 2012, the Company received approval from its Board of Directors for the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary Ferme Eolienne Saint Patrick SAS (“St. Patrick”). Upon meeting the held-for-sale criteria including the Board’s approval, long-lived assets with a carrying amount of $33 million were written down to their fair value of $22 million (i.e., the sale price attributed to St. Patrick) and an impairment expense of $11 million was recorded. The sale transaction subsequently closed on June 28, 2012. St. Patrick was reported in EMEA Generation segment.

Other_Nonoperating_Expense_Oth

Other Non-operating Expense Other Non-operating Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
OTHER NON-OPERATING EXPENSE	'
	OTHER NON-OPERATING EXPENSE
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Elsta	$	122	$	—	$	122	$	—
	China generation	—		—		—		32
	InnoVent	—		—		—		17
	Other	—		—		—		1
	Total other non-operating expense	$	122	$	—	$	122	$	50
	Elsta—Elsta BV & Co CV ("Elsta"), a 630 MW combined cycle gas-fired plant in the Netherlands, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever certain indicators are present suggesting that the fair value of an equity method investment is less than its carrying value and the evaluation would consider whether the decline is other-than-temporary. This analysis requires a significant amount of judgment to identify events or circumstances indicating than an equity method investment may be impaired. Once an impairment indicator is identified, the Company must determine if an impairment exists, and if so, whether the impairment is other-than-temporary in which case the equity method investment is written down to its estimated fair value. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company identified an impairment indicator resulting from initial negotiations with Elsta's offtakers for an extension of the existing power purchase agreement ("PPA") which expires during 2018, suggesting that the income earned under the existing PPA would likely be reduced upon an extension and that the resulting decline in the estimated fair value of the Company's equity method investment in Elsta was other-than-temporary. The Company recognized an impairment of $122 million by reducing the carrying value of $240 million to the estimated fair value of $118 million. The Company estimated fair value using probability-weighted outcomes which contemplated various scenarios involving the amendments to the existing PPA.
	China Generation and InnoVent—In the first quarter of 2012, the Company concluded that it was more likely than not that it would sell its interest in its equity method investments in China and France and recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $32 million and $17 million, respectively.

Discontinued_Operations_and_He

Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND HELD-FOR-SALE BUSINESSES	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND HELD-FOR-SALE BUSINESSES
	In addition to the businesses reported as discontinued operations in the 2012 Form 10-K, discontinued operations include the results of our Utility businesses in Ukraine sold in April 2013 and our Utility and Generation businesses in Cameroon and our wind generation business in India which met the held-for-sale criteria in September 2013. The following table summarizes the revenue, income from operations, income tax expense, impairment and loss on disposal of all discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	124		$	232		$	539		$	759
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax	$	24		$	32		$	27		$	33
	Income tax benefit (expense)	2			(2		)	(2		)	(8		)
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	26		$	30		$	25		$	25
	Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	(78	)	$	(2	)	$	(111	)	$	68
	Cameroon—In September 2013, a subsidiary of the Company executed sale agreements for the sale of AES White Cliffs B.V. (owner of 56% of AES SONEL S.A), AES Kribi Holdings B.V. (owner of 56% of Kribi Power Development Company S.A.) and AES Dibamba Holdings B.V., (owner of 56% of Dibamba Power Development Company S.A.). The transaction is subject to the Cameroon government approval and certain conditions precedent, which should be fulfilled or waived before March 31, 2014. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. Upon meeting the held-for-sale criteria, the Company recognized impairments of $65 million representing the difference between their aggregate carrying amount of $262 million and fair value less costs to sell of $197 million. These businesses were previously reported in EMEA Generation segment and "Corporate and Other".
	Saurashtra—In September 2013, the Company's management approved the sale of AES Saurashtra Private Ltd, a 39 MW wind project in India. The transaction is subject to lenders' approval and customary conditions precedent and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. Upon meeting the held-for-sale criteria, the Company recognized an impairment of $12 million representing the difference between its carrying amount of $19 million and fair value less costs to sell of $7 million. Saurashtra was previously reported in the Asia Generation segment.
	Ukraine Utilities sale — On April 29, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its two utility businesses in Ukraine to VS Energy International and received net proceeds of $113 million after working capital adjustments. The Company sold its 89.1% equity interest in AES Kyivoblenergo, which serves 881,000 customers in the Kiev region, and its 84.6% percent equity interest in AES Rivneoblenergo, which serves 412,000 customers in the Rivne region. The Company had recognized an impairment of $38 million upon fair value measurement during the first quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2013, an after- tax gain of $3 million was recognized upon the completion of the sale transaction. These businesses were previously reported in “Corporate and Other”.

Dispositions

Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
DISPOSITIONS	'
	DISPOSITIONS
	Cartagena — On April 26, 2013, the Company sold its remaining interest in AES Energia Cartagena S.R.L. (“AES Cartagena”), a 1,199 MW gas-fired generation business in Spain upon the exercise of a purchase option included in the 2012 sale agreement where the Company sold its majority interest in the business. Net proceeds from the exercise of the option were approximately $24 million and the Company recognized a pretax gain of $20 million during the second quarter of 2013. In 2012, the Company had sold 80% of its 70.81% equity interest in Cartagena and had recognized a pretax gain of $178 million. Under the terms of the 2012 sale agreement, the buyer was granted an option to purchase the Company’s remaining 20% interest during a five-month period beginning March 2013, which was exercised on April 26, 2013 as described above.
	Due to the Company’s continued ownership interest, which extended beyond one year from the completion of the sale of its 80% interest in February 2012, the prior-period operating results of AES Cartagena were not reclassified as discontinued operations.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potential common stock outstanding during the period. Potential common stock, for purposes of determining diluted earnings per share, includes the effects of dilutive restricted stock units, stock options and convertible securities. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method or the if-converted method, as applicable.
	The following tables present a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. In the table below, income represents the numerator and weighted-average shares represent the denominator:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013					2012
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Loss			Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	129	742	$	0.17	$	(1,585	)	747	$	(2.12	)
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—			—	—
	Restricted stock units	—		4	—		—			—	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	129	747	$	0.17	$	(1,585	)	747	$	(2.12	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013					2012
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Loss			Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	410	745	$	0.55	$	(1,171	)	759	$	(1.54	)
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Restricted stock units	—		4	—		—			—	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	410	749	$	0.55	$	(1,171	)	759	$	(1.54	)
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 6.1 million and 6.4 million options outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. These options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of these options exceeded the average market price during the related period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share also excluded 2.0 million options outstanding at September 30, 2012 that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future. These options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 because the potential shares would be anti-dilutive given the loss from continuing operations. Had the Company generated income from continuing operations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 1.0 million and 1.1 million, respectively, of potential common shares of common stock related to the options would have been included in diluted average shares outstanding.
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share also excluded 1.4 million and 1.2 million restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. These restricted stock units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the average amount of compensation cost per share attributed to future service and not yet recognized exceeded the average market price during the related period and thus to include the restricted units would have been anti-dilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings per share also excluded 5.3 million restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2012 that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future. These restricted units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 because the potential shares would be anti-dilutive given the loss from continuing operations. Had the Company generated income from continuing operations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 3.1 million and 3.0 million, respectively, of potential common shares of common stock related to the restricted stock units would have been included in diluted average shares outstanding.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, all 15.0 million shares of potential common stock associated with convertible debentures were omitted from the earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 0.2 million and 1.3 million shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of stock options. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 1.0 million shares of common stock were issued, respectively, under the Company’s profit-sharing plan.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Dividends
	On October 4, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.04 per outstanding common share payable on November 15, 2013 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on November 1, 2013.
	On November 4, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors voted to increase its quarterly common stock dividend from $0.04 to $0.05 per share, effective for the dividend payment to be made during the first quarter of 2014. Also, on November 4, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.05 per outstanding common share payable on February 18, 2014 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on February 3, 2014.
	Poland Wind Sale
	On November 6, 2013, a subsidiary of the Company signed an agreement to sell all of the equity interests in its remaining wind development projects in Poland for $8 million, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company will recognize a pretax loss, net of noncontrolling interest, of approximately $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Poland Wind is reported in the EMEA Generation reportable segment.

Financial_Statement_Presentati1

Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications	'
	The prior-period condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) have been reclassified to reflect the businesses held-for-sale and discontinued operations as discussed in Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-for-Sale Businesses.
Consolidation	'
	Consolidation
	In this Quarterly Report the terms “AES,” “the Company,” “us” or “we” refer to the consolidated entity including its subsidiaries and affiliates. The terms “The AES Corporation,” “the Parent” or “the Parent Company” refer only to the publicly held holding company, The AES Corporation, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates. Furthermore, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company has a variable interest have been consolidated where the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Interim Financial Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), as contained in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification, for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual fiscal reporting periods. In the opinion of management, the interim financial information includes all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the 2012 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the 2012 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013 (the “2012 Form 10-K”).
Commitments And Contingencies Policy	'
	The Company is involved in certain claims, suits and legal proceedings in the normal course of business. The Company accrues for litigation and claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company has evaluated claims in accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies that it deems both probable and reasonably estimable and, accordingly, has recorded aggregate reserves for all claims of approximately $260 million and $320 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These reserves are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within “accrued and other liabilities” and “other noncurrent liabilities.” A significant portion of the reserves relate to employment, non-income tax and customer disputes in international jurisdictions, principally Brazil. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, principally in Brazil, are defendants in a number of labor and employment lawsuits. The complaints generally seek unspecified monetary damages, injunctive relief, or other relief. The subsidiaries have denied any liability and intend to vigorously defend themselves in all of these proceedings. There can be no assurance that these reserves will be adequate to cover all existing and future claims or that we will have the liquidity to pay such claims as they arise.
Segment Reporting General Information	'
	The segment reporting structure uses the Company’s management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how the Company manages the business internally with further aggregation by geographic regions to provide better socio-political-economic understanding of our business. The management reporting structure is organized along six strategic business units (“SBUs”) — led by our Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), who in turn reports to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Company applied the accounting guidance for segment reporting which provides certain qualitative and quantitative thresholds and aggregation criteria. In 2013, the Company concluded that the Gener operating segment met the quantitative threshold to require separate presentation. As such, an additional reportable segment, which consists solely of the results of Gener, is now reported as Andes — Gener — Generation. Gener was previously included as part of the Andes — Generation reportable segment. All of the remaining businesses that were formerly part of the Andes — Generation reportable segment are now reported as Andes — Other — Generation. All prior-period results have been retrospectively revised to reflect the new segment reporting structure. The Company has increased from eight to the following nine reportable segments based on the six strategic business units:
	•	US — Generation;
	•	US — Utilities;
	•	Andes — Gener — Generation;
	•	Andes — Other — Generation;
	•	Brazil — Generation;
	•	Brazil — Utilities;
	•	MCAC — Generation;
	•	EMEA — Generation; and
	•	Asia — Generation.
	Corporate and Other — The Company’s EMEA and MCAC Utilities operating segments are reported within “Corporate and Other” because they do not meet the criteria to allow for aggregation with another operating segment or the quantitative thresholds that would require separate disclosure under the segment reporting accounting guidance. None of these operating segments are currently material to our presentation of reportable segments, individually or in the aggregate. Silver Ridge Power (formerly AES Solar Holding Company) and certain other unconsolidated businesses are accounted for using the equity method of accounting; therefore, their operating results are included in “Net Equity in Earnings of Affiliates” on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, not in revenue or Adjusted pre-tax contribution (“Adjusted PTC”). “Corporate and Other” also includes corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our nine reportable segments and other intercompany charges such as self-insurance premiums which are fully eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company uses Adjusted PTC as its primary segment performance measure. Adjusted PTC, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to AES excluding unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses, gains or losses due to dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, losses due to impairments and costs due to the early retirement of debt. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company changed the definition of Adjusted PTC to exclude the gains or losses attributable to AES common stockholders at our equity method investments for these same types of items. Previously, these amounts were not excluded from the calculation of Adjusted PTC. Accordingly, the Company has also reflected the change in the comparative three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012. The Company has concluded that Adjusted PTC best reflects the underlying business performance of the Company and is the most relevant measure considered in the Company’s internal evaluation of the financial performance of its segments. Additionally, given its large number of businesses and complexity, the Company concluded that Adjusted PTC is a more transparent measure that better assists the investor in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the overall Company results.
	Total revenue includes inter-segment revenue primarily related to the transfer of electricity from generation plants to utilities within Brazil. No material inter-segment revenue relationships exist between other segments. Corporate allocations include certain self-insurance activities which are reflected within segment adjusted PTC. All intra-segment activity has been eliminated with respect to revenue and adjusted PTC within the segment. Inter-segment activity has been eliminated within the total consolidated results. Asset information for businesses that were discontinued or classified as held-for-sale as of September 30, 2013 is segregated and is shown in the line “Discontinued Businesses” in the accompanying segment tables.
Earnings Per Share Policy	'
	Basic and diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potential common stock outstanding during the period. Potential common stock, for purposes of determining diluted earnings per share, includes the effects of dilutive restricted stock units, stock options and convertible securities. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method or the if-converted method, as applicable.

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Balance By Type	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		30-Sep-13		December 31, 2012
		(in millions)
	Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$	345	$	371
	Spare parts and supplies	366		351
	Total	$	711	$	722

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value hierarchy for recurring measurements table	'
	The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			30-Sep-13													31-Dec-12
			Level 1			Level 2				Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:(1)
	Debt securities:
	Unsecured debentures		$	—		$	665			$	—		$	665		$	—		$	448	$	—	$	448
	Certificates of deposit		—			148				—			148			—			143		—		143
	Government debt securities		—			26				—			26			—			34		—		34
	Subtotal		—			839				—			839			—			625		—		625
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		—			46				—			46			—			56		—		56
	Subtotal		—			46				—			46			—			56		—		56
	Total available-for-sale		—			885				—			885			—			681		—		681
	TRADING:
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		13			—				—			13			12			—		—		12
	Total trading		13			—				—			13			12			—		—		12
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		—			44				—			44			—			2		—		2
	Cross currency derivatives		—			6				—			6			—			6		—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		—			17				97			114			—			2		79		81
	Commodity derivatives		—			26				8			34			—			8		3		11
	Total derivatives		—			93				105			198			—			18		82		100
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	13		$	978			$	105		$	1,096		$	12		$	699	$	82	$	793
	Liabilities
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—		$	249			$	103		$	352		$	—		$	153	$	412	$	565
	Cross currency derivatives		—			3				—			3			—			6		—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		—			15				6			21			—			7		7		14
	Commodity derivatives		—			16				4			20			—			13		4		17
	Total derivatives		—			283				113			396			—			179		423		602
	TOTAL LIABILITIES		$	—		$	283			$	113		$	396		$	—		$	179	$	423	$	602
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amortized cost approximated fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Derivatives Level 3 Rollforward Table	'
	The following tables present a reconciliation of net derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (presented net by type of derivative where any foreign currency impacts are presented as part of gains (losses) in earnings or other comprehensive income as appropriate). Transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 are determined as of the end of the reporting period and principally result from changes in the significance of unobservable inputs used to calculate the credit valuation adjustment.
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at July 1		$	(63	)	$	70			$	9		$	16
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(1		)	28				(1		)	26
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		7			—				—			7
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		(1		)	(6		)		—			(7		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				(4		)	(4		)
	Settlements		9			(1		)		—			8
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(84		)	—				—			(84		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		30			—				—			30
	Balance at September 30		$	(103	)	$	91			$	4		$	(8	)
	Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	—		$	27			$	(1	)	$	26
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at July 1		$	(281	)	$	47			$	13		$	(221	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(1		)	16				2			17
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(29		)	—				—			(29		)
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—			(2		)		—			(2		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				2			2
	Settlements		12			(1		)		(5		)	6
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		2			—				—			2
	Balance at September 30		$	(297	)	$	60			$	12		$	(225	)
	Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	(1	)	$	15			$	2		$	16
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Interest			Foreign				Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	(412	)	$	72			$	(1	)	$	(341	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(2		)	40				—			38
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		84			—				—			84
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		(3		)	(12		)		—			(15		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				5			5
	Settlements		73			(3		)		—			70
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		—			—				—			—
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		157			(6		)		—			151
	Balance at September 30		$	(103	)	$	91			$	4		$	(8	)
	Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	—		$	40			$	—		$	40
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Interest			Cross				Foreign			Commodity			Total
			Rate			Currency				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	(128	)	$	(18	)		$	51		$	2		$	(93	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(1		)	—				16			8			23
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(30		)	8				—			—			(22		)
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—			—				(4		)	—			(4		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—			—				—			9			9
	Settlements		19			11				(3		)	(7		)	20
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(159		)	—				—			—			(159		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		2			(1		)		—			—			1
	Balance at September 30		$	(297	)	$	—			$	60		$	12		$	(225	)
	Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period		$	(1	)	$	—			$	14		$	9		$	22
Significant unobservable inputs, recurring	'
	The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of September 30, 2013:
	Type of Derivative		Fair Value			Unobservable Input		Amount or Range
								(Weighted Average)
			(in millions)
	Interest rate		$	(103	)	Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.21	%
	Foreign currency:
	Embedded derivative — Argentine Peso		97			Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 3 years		22.14 - 39.05 (31.72)
	Embedded derivative — Euro		(5		)	Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.21	%
	Other		(1		)
	Commodity:
	Other		4
	Total		$	(8	)
Fair value hierarchy for nonrecurring measurements table	'
	The following table summarizes major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the period and their level within the fair value hierarchy:
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Carrying			Fair Value										Gross
			Amount			Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Loss
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
	Poland Wind projects		$	79		$	—			$	—		$	14		$	65
	Itabo (San Lorenzo)		22			—				—			7			15
	Beaver Valley		61			—				—			15			46
	Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
	Wind turbines		25			—				25			—			—
	Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
	Cameroon businesses		262			—				199			—			65
	Saurashtra		19			—				7			—			12
	Ukraine utilities		143			—				113			—			34
	Equity method investments (3)
	Elsta		240			—				—			118			122
	Goodwill
	Ebute		58			—				—			—			58
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
			Carrying			Fair Value										Gross
			Amount			Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Loss
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
	Kelanitissa		$	22		$	—			$	—		$	10		$	12
	Wind Projects		16			—				—			—			16
	Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
	Wind turbines		45			—				—			25			20
	St. Patrick		33			—				22			—			11
	Equity method investments		205			—				155			—			50
	Goodwill
	DP&L		2,449			—				—			599			1,850
	_____________________________
	(1)	See Note 14 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.
	(2)	See Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses for further information. Also, the gross loss equals the carrying amount of the disposal group less its fair value less costs to sell.
Significant unobservable inputs, nonrecurring	'
	The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Fair Value			Valuation		Unobservable Input		Range
						Technique				(Weighted Average)
			(in millions)							($ in millions)
	Long-lived assets held and used:
	Beaver Valley		$	15		Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		3% to 45% (19%)
								Annual pretax operating margin		-42% to 41% (25%)
								Weighted-average cost of capital		7	%
	Poland Wind		14			Market approach		Indicative offer prices		14
	Itabo (San Lorenzo)		7			Market approach		Broker quote		7
	Equity method investment:
	Elsta		118			Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		-55% to 17% (1%)
								Annual pretax operating margin		3% to 45% (36%)
								Weighted-average cost of capital		7	%
	Total		$	154
Financial instruments not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets	'
	The following table sets forth the carrying amount, fair value and fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, but for which fair value is disclosed.
			Carrying			Fair Value
			Amount			Total				Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
			(in millions)
	30-Sep-13
	Assets
	Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	297		$	164			$	—		$	—		$	164
	Liabilities
	Non-recourse debt		15,366			15,533				—			13,312			2,221
	Recourse debt		5,670			6,108				—			6,108			—
	December 31, 2012
	Assets
	Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	304		$	188			$	—		$	—		$	188
	Liabilities
	Non-recourse debt		14,781			15,506				—			13,266			2,240
	Recourse debt		5,962			6,628				—			6,628			—
	_____________________________
	(1)	These accounts receivable principally relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and are included in “Noncurrent assets — Other” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these accounts receivable excludes value-added tax of $47 million and $55 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu1

Investments In Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Pre-Tax Gains And Losses On Available For Sale And Trading Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the pretax gains and losses related to available-for-sale and trading securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific-identification method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no realized losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities and no other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Gains included in earnings that relate to trading securities held at the reporting date	$	1	$	—		$	1	$	—
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities included in other comprehensive income	—		(1		)	1		(1		)
	Gains reclassified out of other comprehensive income into earnings	—		—			1		—
	Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	1,071		1,513			3,394		5,160
	Gross realized gains on sales	—		—			—		1

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Interest Rate Derivatives By Type Table	'
	The following tables set forth, by type of derivative, the Company’s outstanding notional under its derivatives and the weighted-average remaining term as of September 30, 2013 regardless of whether the derivative instruments are in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships:
			Current							Maximum
	Interest Rate and Cross Currency		Derivative			Derivative Notional Translated to USD				Derivative			Derivative Notional Translated to USD				Weighted-Average Remaining Term		% of Debt Currently Hedged by Index(2)
			Notional							Notional
			(in millions)														(in years)
	Interest Rate Derivatives:(1)
	LIBOR (U.S. Dollar)		3,581			$	3,581			4,826			$	4,826			9		72	%
	EURIBOR (Euro)		590			798				590			798				8		86	%
	LIBOR (British Pound)		68			110				68			110				12		83	%
	Cross Currency Swaps:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		6			256				6			256				8		85	%
	_____________________________
	(1)	The Company’s interest rate derivative instruments primarily include accreting and amortizing notionals. The maximum derivative notional represents the largest notional at any point between September 30, 2013 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2030 and 2028, respectively.
	(2)	The percentage of variable-rate debt currently hedged is based on the related index and excludes forecasted issuances of debt and variable-rate debt tied to other indices where the Company has no interest rate derivatives.
Foreign Currency Derivatives By Type Table	'
			30-Sep-13
	Foreign Currency Derivatives		Notional(1)			Notional Translated to USD				Weighted-Average Remaining Term(2)
			(in millions)							(in years)
	Foreign Currency Options and Forwards:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		5			$	237			1
	Chilean Peso		89,969			178				<1
	Brazilian Real		200			90				<1
	Euro		40			54				<1
	Colombian Peso		215,480			113				<1
	Argentine Peso		43			7				<1
	British Pound		66			106				<1
	Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives:
	Argentine Peso		892			154				10
	Kazakhstani Tenge		816			5				4
	_____________________________
	(1)	Represents contractual notionals. The notionals for options have not been probability adjusted, which generally would decrease them.
	(2)	Represents the remaining tenor of our foreign currency derivatives weighted by the corresponding notional. These options and forwards and these embedded derivatives range in maturity through 2016 and 2025, respectively.
Commodity Derivatives By Type Table	'
			30-Sep-13
						Weighted-Average
	Commodity Derivatives		Notional			Remaining Term(1)
			(in millions)			(in years)
	Power (MWh)		9			3
	_____________________________
	(1)	Represents the remaining tenor of our commodity derivatives weighted by the corresponding volume. These derivatives range in maturity through 2016.
Derivative Assets Liabilities At Fair Value Net By Balance Sheet Classification And Type Table	'
	The following tables set forth the Company’s derivative instruments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, first by whether or not they are designated hedging instruments, then by whether they are current or noncurrent to the extent they are subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements (where the rights to set-off relate to settlement of amounts receivable and payable under those derivatives) and by balances no longer accounted for as derivatives.
			30-Sep-13												31-Dec-12
			Designated				Not Designated				Total				Designated				Not Designated		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Interest rate derivatives		$	42			$	2			$	44			$	—			$	2	$	2
	Cross currency derivatives		6				—				6				6				—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		6				108				114				—				81		81
	Commodity derivatives		8				26				34				2				9		11
	Total assets		$	62			$	136			$	198			$	8			$	92	$	100
	Liabilities
	Interest rate derivatives		$	338			$	14			$	352			$	544			$	21	$	565
	Cross currency derivatives		3				—				3				6				—		6
	Foreign currency derivatives		13				8				21				7				7		14
	Commodity derivatives		10				10				20				8				9		17
	Total liabilities		$	364			$	32			$	396			$	565			$	37	$	602
			30-Sep-13								31-Dec-12
			Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
			(in millions)
	Current		$	36			$	136			$	14			$	178
	Noncurrent		162				260				86				424
	Total		$	198			$	396			$	100			$	602
	Derivatives subject to master netting agreement or similar agreement:
	Gross (which equals net) amounts recognized in the balance sheet		$	79			$	368			$	25			$	522
	Gross amounts of derivative instruments not offset		(11		)		(11		)		(9		)		(9		)
	Gross amounts of cash collateral received/pledged not offset		—				(4		)		—				(5		)
	Net amount		$	68			$	353			$	16			$	508
	Other balances that had been, but are no longer, accounted for as derivatives that are to be amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the associated PPA		$	173			$	190			$	186			$	191
Gain Loss In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income And Earnings On Effective Portion Of Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges Table	'
	The following tables set forth the pretax gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and earnings related to the effective portion of derivative instruments in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships (including amounts that were reclassified from AOCL as interest expense related to interest rate derivative instruments that previously, but no longer, qualify for cash flow hedge accounting), as defined in the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Gains (Losses)										Gains (Losses) Reclassified
			Recognized in AOCL										from AOCL into Earnings
			Three Months Ended								Classification in		Three Months Ended
			September 30,								Condensed Consolidated		September 30,
	Type of Derivative		2013				2012				Statements of Operations		2013				2012
			(in millions)										(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		$	10			$	(62	)		Interest expense		$	(32	)		$	(40	)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(1		)
											Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(1		)		(2		)
											Asset impairment expense		—				(5		)
	Cross currency derivatives		2				4				Interest expense		(4		)		(3		)
											Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		4				15
	Foreign currency derivatives		(1		)		—				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		3				4
	Commodity derivatives		(4		)		(4		)		Non-regulated revenue		(3		)		—
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
	Total		$	7			$	(62	)				$	(35	)		$	(32	)
			Gains (Losses)										Gains (Losses) Reclassified
			Recognized in AOCL										from AOCL into Earnings
			Nine Months Ended								Classification in		Nine Months Ended
			September 30,								Condensed Consolidated		September 30,
	Type of Derivative		2013				2012				Statements of Operations		2013				2012
			(in millions)										(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		$	131			$	(204	)		Interest expense		$	(95	)		$	(102	)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		(4		)
											Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(5		)		(4		)
											Gain on sale of investments		(21		)		(96		)
											Asset impairment expense		—				(5		)
	Cross currency derivatives		(9		)		9				Interest expense		(10		)		(9		)
											Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		(10		)		27
	Foreign currency derivatives		1				12				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				4
	Commodity derivatives		(2		)		(11		)		Non-regulated revenue		(4		)		(2		)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
	Total		$	121			$	(194	)				$	(142	)		$	(191	)
Gain Loss In Earnings On Ineffective Portion Of Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges Table	'
	The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to the ineffective portion of derivative instruments in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, as defined in the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
					Gains (Losses)
					Recognized in Earnings
			Classification in		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			Condensed Consolidated		September 30,								September 30,
	Type of Derivative		Statements of Operations		2013				2012				2013				2012
					(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	(1	)		$	(2	)		$	29			$	(1	)
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(1	)
	Cross currency derivatives		Interest expense		—				(1		)		—				(1		)
	Total				$	(1	)		$	(3	)		$	29			$	(3	)
Gain Loss In Earnings On Non Hedging Instruments Table	'
	The following table sets forth the gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging and the amortization of balances that had been, but are no longer, accounted for as derivatives, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
					Gains (Losses)
					Recognized in Earnings
			Classification in Condensed Consolidated		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			Statements of Operations		September 30,								September 30,
	Type of Derivative				2013				2012				2013				2012
					(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	(1	)		$	(2	)		$	1			$	(5	)
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		—				—				(6		)		—
	Foreign currency derivatives		Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		24				(11		)		47				(87		)
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(7		)		—				(22		)		—
	Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		4				(1		)		8				13
			Regulated revenue		—				(3		)		—				(2		)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(2		)		1				(1		)		4
			Regulated cost of sales		1				(3		)		12				(20		)
			Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses		2				15				(10		)		2
	Total				$	21			$	(4	)		$	29			$	(95	)

Financing_Receivables_Tables

Financing Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Financing Receivables Table	'
	The following table sets forth the breakdown of financing receivables by country as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			30-Sep-13		December 31, 2012
			(in millions)
	Argentina(1)		$	182	$	196
	Dominican Republic		12		35
	Brazil		23		8
	Total long-term financing receivables		$	217	$	239
	_____________________________
	(1)	Excludes noncurrent receivables of $127 million and $120 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt In Default Table	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default or accelerated as of September 30, 2013 and is classified as current non-recourse debt unless otherwise indicated:
		Primary Nature	30-Sep-13
	Subsidiary	of Default	Default Amount		Net Assets
			(in millions)
	Maritza	Covenant	$	836	$	684
	Kavarna	Covenant	202		84
			$	1,038

Contingencies_and_Commitments_

Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations	'
	The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013. Amounts presented in the table below represent the Parent Company’s current undiscounted exposure to guarantees and the range of maximum undiscounted potential exposure. The maximum exposure is not reduced by the amounts, if any, that could be recovered under the recourse or collateralization provisions in the guarantees. The amounts include obligations made by the Parent Company for the direct benefit of the lenders associated with the non-recourse debt of its businesses of $24 million.
	Contingent Contractual Obligations	Amount		Number of	Maximum Exposure Range for
				Agreements	Each Agreement
		(in millions)			(in millions)
	Guarantees and commitments	$	654	21	<$1 - 275
	Cash collateralized letters of credit	192		11	<$1 - 132
	Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility	3		4	<$1 - 2
	Total	$	849	36

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Table	'
	Total pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 included the following components:
		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013						2012						2013						2012
		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	4		$	6		$	4		$	4		$	12		$	20		$	11		$	13
	Interest cost	11			122			11			123			33			394			35			390
	Expected return on plan assets	(15		)	(114		)	(13		)	(107		)	(46		)	(371		)	(41		)	(340		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	1			—			1			—			4			—			4			—
	Amortization of net loss	7			18			6			9			21			59			18			30
	Total pension cost	$	8		$	32		$	9		$	29		$	24		$	102		$	27		$	93

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending equity attributable to stockholders of The AES Corporation, noncontrolling interests and total equity as of September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013											Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
			The AES				Noncontrolling				Total			The AES			Noncontrolling			Total
			Corporation				Interests				Equity			Corporation			Interests			Equity
			Stockholders’											Stockholders’
			Equity											Equity
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	4,569			$	2,945			$	7,514		$	5,946		$	3,783		$	9,729
	Net income (loss)		320				435				755			(1,087		)	407			(680		)
	Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(158		)		(65		)		(223		)	(158		)	(111		)	(269		)
	Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		151				54				205			6			(20		)	(14		)
	Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		9				30				39			5			14			19
	Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests		—				86				86			—			12			12
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—				(382		)		(382		)	—			(625		)	(625		)
	Disposition of businesses		—				(20		)		(20		)	—			(37		)	(37		)
	Acquisition of treasury stock		(63		)		—				(63		)	(301		)	—			(301		)
	Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax		39				—				39			40			—			40
	Dividends declared on common stock ($0.08 per share)		(60		)		—				(60		)	(30		)	—			(30		)
	Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests		12				71				83			—			—			—
	Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests		(6		)		(1		)		(7		)	3			(11		)	(8		)
	Balance at September 30		$	4,813			$	3,153			$	7,966		$	4,424		$	3,412		$	7,836
Schedule Of Net Income Attributable To Parent And Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests [Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation and all transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013				2012
			(in millions)
	Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	320			$	(1,087	)
	Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interest:
	Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares		12				—
	Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares		(6		)		3
	Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest		6				3
	Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		$	326			$	(1,084	)
Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax and noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Unrealized				Unfunded				Available for sale securities, net			Foreign currency			Total
			derivative				pension							translation
			losses, net				obligations, net							adjustment, net
			(in millions)
	Balance at January 1		$	(481	)		$	(382	)		$	—		$	(2,057	)	$	(2,920	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		54				—				(1		)	(194		)	(141		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		97				9				1			36			143
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		151				9				—			(158		)	2
	Balance at September 30		$	(330	)		$	(373	)		$	—		$	(2,215	)	$	(2,918	)
Schedule Of Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
	Details About Accumulated Other		Affected Line Item in the Condensed		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Comprehensive Loss Components		Consolidated Statement of Operations
					(in millions)
	Unrealized derivative losses, net
			Non-regulated revenue		$	(3	)		$	(4	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(2		)		(4		)
			Interest expense		(36		)		(105		)
			Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
			Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				(3		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(34		)		(137		)
			Income tax expense		8				30
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(1		)		(5		)
			Income from continuing operations		(27		)		(112		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		2				15
			Net income attributable to the AES Corporation		$	(25	)		$	(97	)
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net
			Regulated cost of sales		(17		)		(56		)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(3		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(18		)		(59		)
			Income tax expense		6				20
			Income from continuing operations		(12		)		(39		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		9				30
			Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	(3	)		$	(9	)
	Available-for-sale securities, net
			Interest income		$	—			$	(1	)
			Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(1	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
			Gain on sale of investments		$	—			$	(1	)
			Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		—				(35		)
			Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(36	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests				$	(28	)		$	(143	)
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenue By Segment Table	'
	Information about the Company’s operations by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
	Revenue		Total Revenue								Intersegment								External Revenue
	Three Months Ended September 30,		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in millions)
	US — Generation		$	207			$	222			$	—			$	—			$	207			$	222
	US — Utilities		763				796				—				—				763				796
	Andes — Gener — Generation		539				568				—				(8		)		539				560
	Andes — Other — Generation		89				207				—				(1		)		89				206
	Brazil — Generation		272				268				(222		)		(260		)		50				8
	Brazil — Utilities		1,224				1,448				—				—				1,224				1,448
	MCAC — Generation		469				437				—				(1		)		469				436
	EMEA — Generation		333				268				—				—				333				268
	Asia — Generation		113				191				—				—				113				191
	Corporate and Other		217				222				(1		)		(2		)		216				220
	Total Revenue		$	4,226			$	4,627			$	(223	)		$	(272	)		$	4,003			$	4,355
	Revenue		Total Revenue								Intersegment								External Revenue
	Nine Months Ended September 30,		2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in millions)
	US — Generation		$	567			$	636			$	—			$	—			$	567			$	636
	US — Utilities		2,159				2,206				—				—				2,159				2,206
	Andes — Gener — Generation		1,738				1,711				—				(26		)		1,738				1,685
	Andes — Other — Generation		306				568				(1		)		(1		)		305				567
	Brazil — Generation		937				847				(752		)		(790		)		185				57
	Brazil — Utilities		3,749				4,209				—				—				3,749				4,209
	MCAC — Generation		1,398				1,256				(1		)		(2		)		1,397				1,254
	EMEA — Generation		970				998				—				(1		)		970				997
	Asia — Generation		388				553				—				—				388				553
	Corporate and Other		655				646				(5		)		(3		)		650				643
	Total Revenue		$	12,867			$	13,630			$	(759	)		$	(823	)		$	12,108			$	12,807
Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution by Segment Table	'
		Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution(1)		Total Adjusted								Intersegment								External Adjusted
		Three Months Ended September 30,		Pre-tax Contribution																Pre-tax Contribution
				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
				(in millions)
		US — Generation		$	44			$	40			$	3			$	11			$	47			$	51
		US — Utilities		87				108				—				—				87				108
		Andes — Gener — Generation		59				88				3				(4		)		62				84
		Andes — Other — Generation		50				20				3				1				53				21
		Brazil — Generation		37				45				(53		)		(63		)		(16		)		(18		)
		Brazil — Utilities		48				40				36				42				84				82
		MCAC — Generation		90				87				5				2				95				89
		EMEA — Generation		68				53				3				5				71				58
		Asia — Generation		30				53				1				—				31				53
		Corporate and Other		(126		)		(154		)		(1		)		6				(127		)		(148		)
		Total Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution		387				380				—				—				387				380
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)		7				(22		)
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)		22				22
	Disposition/acquisition gains		4				25
	Impairment losses		(236		)		(1,893		)
	Pre-tax contribution		184				(1,488		)
	Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests		217				230
	Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates		15				25
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	386			$	(1,283	)
		Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution(1)		Total Adjusted								Intersegment								External Adjusted
		Nine Months Ended September 30,		Pre-tax Contribution																Pre-tax Contribution
				2013				2012				2013				2012				2013				2012
				(in millions)
		US — Generation		$	150			$	118			$	7			$	31			$	157			$	149
		US — Utilities		181				197				1				1				182				198
		Andes — Gener — Generation		190				207				8				(14		)		198				193
		Andes — Other — Generation		84				61				5				2				89				63
		Brazil — Generation		143				142				(181		)		(190		)		(38		)		(48		)
		Brazil — Utilities		61				105				122				128				183				233
		MCAC — Generation		227				246				11				6				238				252
		EMEA — Generation		236				288				6				(3		)		242				285
		Asia — Generation		101				141				2				1				103				142
		Corporate and Other		(427		)		(503		)		19				38				(408		)		(465		)
		Total Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution		946				1,002				—				—				946				1,002
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)		46				(88		)
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)		(25		)		8
	Disposition/acquisition gains		30				206
	Impairment losses		(284		)		(1,973		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt		(207		)		—
	Pre-tax contribution		506				(845		)
	Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests		620				586
	Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates		21				49
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		$	1,105			$	(308	)
	_____________________________
	(1)	Adjusted pre-tax contribution in each segment before intersegment eliminations includes the effect of intercompany transactions with other segments except for interest, charges for certain management fees and the write-off of intercompany balances.
Assets By Segment Table	'
	Assets by segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
			Total Assets
			30-Sep-13				31-Dec-12
			(in millions)
	Assets
	US — Generation		$	3,151			$	3,259
	US — Utilities		7,924				7,534
	Andes — Gener — Generation		5,969				5,820
	Andes — Other — Generation		761				799
	Brazil — Generation		1,494				1,590
	Brazil — Utilities		7,300				8,120
	MCAC — Generation		4,434				4,293
	EMEA — Generation		4,125				4,178
	Asia — Generation		2,717				2,583
	Discontinued businesses		1,609				1,727
	Corporate and Other & eliminations		1,766				1,927
	Total Assets		$	41,250			$	41,830

Other_Income_and_Expense_Table

Other Income and Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Components Of Other Income Table	'
	The components of other income are summarized as follows:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in millions)
		Contract termination	$	—	$	—	$	60	$	—
		Reversal of legal contingency	10		—		10		—
		Gain on sale of assets	2		2		9		5
		Insurance proceeds	—		—		—		10
		Other	13		5		27		24
		Total other income	$	25	$	7	$	106	$	39
Components Of Other Expense Table	'
	The components of other expense are summarized as follows:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in millions)
		Loss on sale and disposal of assets	$	12	$	13	$	36	$	48
		Contract termination	—		—		7		—
		Other	3		2		15		8
		Total other expense	$	15	$	15	$	58	$	56

Asset_Impairment_Expense_Table

Asset Impairment Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Details of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Asset	'
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Poland wind projects	$	65	$	—	$	65	$	—
	Beaver Valley	—		—		46		—
	Itabo (San Lorenzo)	15		—		15		—
	Wind turbines and projects	—		36		—		40
	Kelanitissa	—		5		—		17
	St. Patrick	—		—		—		11
	Other	1		2		3		3
	Total asset impairment expense	$	81	$	43	$	129	$	71

Other_Nonoperating_Expense_Oth1

Other Non-operating Expense Other Non-operating Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Other Nonoperating Expense By Component [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Elsta	$	122	$	—	$	122	$	—
	China generation	—		—		—		32
	InnoVent	—		—		—		17
	Other	—		—		—		1
	Total other non-operating expense	$	122	$	—	$	122	$	50

Discontinued_Operations_and_He1

Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Revenue Income From Operations Of Discontinued Businesses Income Tax Expense And Impairment Of Discontinued Operations	'
	The following table summarizes the revenue, income from operations, income tax expense, impairment and loss on disposal of all discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	124		$	232		$	539		$	759
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax	$	24		$	32		$	27		$	33
	Income tax benefit (expense)	2			(2		)	(2		)	(8		)
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	26		$	30		$	25		$	25
	Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	(78	)	$	(2	)	$	(111	)	$	68

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Table	'
	The following tables present a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. In the table below, income represents the numerator and weighted-average shares represent the denominator:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013					2012
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Loss			Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	129	742	$	0.17	$	(1,585	)	747	$	(2.12	)
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—			—	—
	Restricted stock units	—		4	—		—			—	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	129	747	$	0.17	$	(1,585	)	747	$	(2.12	)
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013					2012
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Loss			Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	410	745	$	0.55	$	(1,171	)	759	$	(1.54	)
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Restricted stock units	—		4	—		—			—	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	410	749	$	0.55	$	(1,171	)	759	$	(1.54	)

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$345	$371
Spare parts and supplies	366	351
Total	$711	$722

Fair_Value_Recurring_Measureme

Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt securities:	'		'
Unsecured debentures	$665	[1]	$448	[1]
Certificates of deposit	148	[1]	143	[1]
Government debt securities	26	[1]	34	[1]
Subtotal	839	[1]	625	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	46	[1]	56	[1]
Subtotal	46	[1]	56	[1]
Total available-for-sale	885	[1]	681	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	13		12
Total trading	13		12
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	198		100
TOTAL ASSETS	1,096		793
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	396		602
TOTAL LIABILITIES	396		602
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	44		2
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	352		565
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	6		6
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	3		6
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	114		81
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	21		14
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	34		11
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	20		17
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Debt securities:	'		'
Unsecured debentures	0	[1]	0	[1]
Certificates of deposit	0	[1]	0	[1]
Government debt securities	0	[1]	0	[1]
Subtotal	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	0	[1]	0	[1]
Subtotal	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total available-for-sale	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	13		12
Total trading	13		12
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
TOTAL ASSETS	13		12
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
TOTAL LIABILITIES	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
Level 1 [Member] | Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Debt securities:	'		'
Unsecured debentures	665	[1]	448	[1]
Certificates of deposit	148	[1]	143	[1]
Government debt securities	26	[1]	34	[1]
Subtotal	839	[1]	625	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	46	[1]	56	[1]
Subtotal	46	[1]	56	[1]
Total available-for-sale	885	[1]	681	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	0		0
Total trading	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	93		18
TOTAL ASSETS	978		699
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	283		179
TOTAL LIABILITIES	283		179
Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	44		2
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	249		153
Level 2 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	6		6
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	3		6
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	17		2
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	15		7
Level 2 [Member] | Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	26		8
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	16		13
Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Debt securities:	'		'
Unsecured debentures	0	[1]	0	[1]
Certificates of deposit	0	[1]	0	[1]
Government debt securities	0	[1]	0	[1]
Subtotal	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	0	[1]	0	[1]
Subtotal	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total available-for-sale	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	0		0
Total trading	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	105		82
TOTAL ASSETS	105		82
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	113		423
TOTAL LIABILITIES	113		423
Level 3 [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	103		412
Level 3 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	97		79
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	6		7
Level 3 [Member] | Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	8		3
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	$4		$4
[1]	Amortized cost approximated fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Fair_Value_Level_3_Reconciliat

Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$16	($221)	($341)	($93)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	26	17	38	23
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	7	-29	84	-22
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	-7	-2	-15	-4
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	-4	2	5	9
Settlements	8	6	70	20
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	-84	2	0	-159
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	30	'	151	1
Balance at end of period	-8	-225	-8	-225
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period	26	16	40	22
Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-63	-281	-412	-128
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	-1	-1	-2	-1
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	7	-29	84	-30
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	-1	0	-3	0
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	0	0	0	0
Settlements	9	12	73	19
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	-84	2	0	-159
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	30	'	157	2
Balance at end of period	-103	-297	-103	-297
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period	0	-1	0	-1
Cross Currency [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	'	'	-18
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	'	'	'	0
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	'	'	'	8
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	'	'	'	0
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	'	'	'	0
Settlements	'	'	'	11
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	'	'	'	0
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	'	'	'	-1
Balance at end of period	'	0	'	0
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period	'	'	'	0
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	70	47	72	51
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	28	16	40	16
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	0	0	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	-6	-2	-12	-4
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	0	0	0	0
Settlements	-1	-1	-3	-3
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	'	-6	0
Balance at end of period	91	60	91	60
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period	27	15	40	14
Commodity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	9	13	-1	2
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	-1	2	0	8
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	0	0	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	0	0	0	0
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	-4	2	5	9
Settlements	0	-5	0	-7
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	'	0	0
Balance at end of period	4	12	4	12
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held at the end of the period	($1)	$2	$0	$9

Fair_Value_Quantitative_Inform

Fair Value (Quantitative Information) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	($8)	$16	($341)	($225)	($221)	($93)
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	-103	-63	-412	-297	-281	-128
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	5.21%	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Argentine Peso [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	97	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Argentine Peso [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 3 years	22.14	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Argentine Peso [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 3 years	39.05	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Argentine Peso [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 3 years	31.72	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Euro [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	-5	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Euro [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	5.21%	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	-1	'	'	'	'	'
Commodity And Other Embedded Derivative Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	$4	'	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Nonrecurring_Measur

Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measurements) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	$81		$43		'	$129		$71
Other Nonoperating Expense	122		0		'	122		50
Goodwill impairment expense	58		1,850		'	58		1,850
Poland Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	14		'		'	14		'
Asset impairment expense	65		0		'	65		0
Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	7	[1]	'		'	7	[1]	'
Asset impairment expense	15		0		'	15		0
Beaver Valley [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	0		0		'	46		0
Wind turbines [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		20		'	'		'
Ebute [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Goodwill impairment expense	58		'		'	'		'
Kelanitissa [ Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		10		'	'		10
Asset impairment expense	0		5		'	0		17
Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		16		'	'		'
St. Patrick [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		'		22	'		'
Asset impairment expense	0		0		11	0		11
DP&L [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Goodwill impairment expense	'		1,850		'	'		'
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Poland Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	65	[1]	'
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	15	[1]	'
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Beaver Valley [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	46	[1]	'
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [ Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	'		12	[1]
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	'		16	[1]
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Wind turbines [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	0		20	[1]
Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St. Patrick [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	'		11	[1]
Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Cameroon [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	65	[2]	'
Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Saurashtra [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	12	[2]	'
Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Ukraine utilities [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Asset impairment expense	'		'		'	34	[2]	'
Goodwill [Member] | Ebute [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Goodwill impairment expense	'		'		'	58	[3]	'
Goodwill [Member] | DP&L [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Goodwill impairment expense	'		'		'	'		1,850
Equity Method Affiliate [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Other Nonoperating Expense	'		'		'	'		50
Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Elsta [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Other Nonoperating Expense	'		'		'	122	[3]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Poland Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	79	[1]	'		'	79	[1]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	22	[1]	'		'	22	[1]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Beaver Valley [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	61	[1]	'		'	61	[1]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [ Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		22	[1]	'	'		22	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Wind Projects [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		16	[1]	'	'		16	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Wind turbines [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	25	[1]	45	[1]	'	25	[1]	45	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St. Patrick [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		33	[1]	'	'		33	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Cameroon [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	262	[2]	'		'	262	[2]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Saurashtra [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	19	[2]	'		'	19	[2]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Ukraine utilities [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	143	[2]	'		'	143	[2]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Goodwill [Member] | Ebute [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	58	[3]	'		'	58	[3]	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Goodwill [Member] | DP&L [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		2,449		'	'		2,449
Carrying Amount [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		205		'	'		205
Carrying Amount [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Elsta [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	240	[3]	'		'	240	[3]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	154		'		'	154		'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Poland Wind Projects [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	14	[1]	'		'	14	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	7	[1]	'		'	7	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Beaver Valley [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[1]	'		'	0	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Beaver Valley [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[1]	'		'	0	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Beaver Valley [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	15	[1]	'		'	15	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [ Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0	[1]	'	'		0	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [ Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0	[1]	'	'		0	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Kelanitissa [ Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		10	[1]	'	'		10	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Wind turbines [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[1]	'		'	0	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Wind turbines [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	25	[1]	'		'	25	[1]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | Wind turbines [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[1]	25	[1]	'	0	[1]	25	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St. Patrick [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0	[1]	'	'		0	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St. Patrick [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		22	[1]	'	'		22	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member] | St. Patrick [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0	[1]	'	'		0	[1]
Fair Value [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Cameroon [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	199	[2]	'		'	199	[2]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Saurashtra [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	7	[2]	'		'	7	[2]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Ukraine utilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[2]	'		'	0	[2]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Ukraine utilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	113	[2]	'		'	113	[2]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member] | Ukraine utilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	0	[2]	'		'	0	[2]	'
Fair Value [Member] | Goodwill [Member] | DP&L [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		599		'	'		599
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0		'	'		0
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		155		'	'		155
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	'		0		'	'		0
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Method Affiliate [Member] | Elsta [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]	'		'		'	'		'
Fair Value, Nonrecurring	$118	[3]	'		'	$118	[3]	'
[1]	See Note 14 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.
[2]	See Note 16 — Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses for further information. Also, the gross loss equals the carrying amount of the disposal group less its fair value less costs to sell.
[3]	See Note 15 — Other Non-Operating Expense for further information.

Fair_Value_Nonrecurring_Unobse

Fair Value (Nonrecurring Unobservable Inputs) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Market Approach [Member]

Market Approach [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Elsta [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Equity Method Affiliate [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Elsta [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Elsta [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Elsta [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Elsta [Member]

Fair Value Assets Measured On Nonrecurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Nonrecurring

$14

$7

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$154

$15

[1]

$14

[1]

$7

[1]

$0

$118

[2]

Annual Revenue Growth Input

'

'

'

'

3.00%

-55.00%

45.00%

17.00%

19.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pretax Operating Margin Input

'

'

'

'

-42.00%

3.00%

41.00%

45.00%

25.00%

36.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Cost Of Capital Input

'

'

7.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indicative Offer Prices

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Broker Quote

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

See Note 14 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.

[2]

See Note 15 — Other Non-Operating Expense for further information.

Fair_Value_Instruments_Not_Mea

Fair Value (Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	$297	[1]	$304	[1]
Non-recourse debt	15,366		14,781
Recourse debt	5,670		5,962
Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	164	[1]	188	[1]
Non-recourse debt	15,533		15,506
Recourse debt	6,108		6,628
Value added tax	47		55
Fair Value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	0	[1]	0	[1]
Non-recourse debt	0		0
Recourse debt	0		0
Fair Value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	0	[1]	0	[1]
Non-recourse debt	13,312		13,266
Recourse debt	6,108		6,628
Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	164	[1]	188	[1]
Non-recourse debt	2,221		2,240
Recourse debt	$0		$0
[1]	These accounts receivable principally relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and are included in “Noncurrent assets — Other” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these accounts receivable excludes value-added tax of $47 million and $55 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu2

Investments In Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gain Loss On Marketable Securities	'	'	'	'
Realized losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities	$0	$0	$0	$0
Other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities	0	0	0	0
Gains included in earnings that relate to trading securities held at the reporting date	1,000,000	0	1,000,000	0
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities included in other comprehensive income	0	-1,000,000	1,000,000	-1,000,000
Gains reclassified out of other comprehensive income into earnings	0	0	1,000,000	0
Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	1,071,000,000	1,513,000,000	3,394,000,000	5,160,000,000
Gross realized gains on sales	$0	$0	$0	$1,000,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 1 (Details)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Chilean Peso CLP [Member]

Brazilian Real BRL [Member]

Euro EUR [Member]

Colombian Peso COP [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

British Pound GBP [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Interest rate derivatives [Member]

Cross currency derivatives [Member]

Cross currency derivatives [Member]

Cross currency derivatives [Member]

Cross currency derivatives [Member]

Cross currency derivatives [Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Foreign Currency Options [ Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Commodity Derivatives [Member]

Libor USD [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Chilean Peso CLP [Member]

Chilean Peso CLP [Member]

Brazilian Real BRL [Member]

Brazilian Real BRL [Member]

Euro EUR [Member]

Euro EUR [Member]

Colombian Peso COP [Member]

Colombian Peso COP [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

British Pound GBP [Member]

British Pound GBP [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

Kazakhstani Tenge KZT [Member]

Kazakhstani Tenge KZT [Member]

Power MWh [Member]

Libor USD [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Libor USD [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

USD ($)

CLF

USD ($)

CLP

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

COP

USD ($)

ARS

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

ARS

USD ($)

KZT

MWh

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

CLF

USD ($)

CLF

Derivative Tables [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional Amount Of Interest Rate Derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,581

[1]

$798

[1]

€ 590

[1]

$110

[1]

£ 68

[1]

$4,826

[1]

$798

[1]

€ 590

[1]

$110

[1]

£ 68

[1]

'

$256

'

$256

'

$237

5

[2]

$178

89,969

[2]

$90

200

[2]

$54

€ 40

[2]

$113

215,480

[2]

$7

43

[2]

$106

£ 66

[2]

$154

892

[2]

$5

816

[2]

'

Weighted Average Remaining Term (less than 1 for Chilean Peso, Brazilian Real, Euro, Colombian Peso, Argentine Peso and British Pound)

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'9 years

[1]

'8 years

[1]

'12 years

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'1 year

[3]

'1 year

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

[3]

'10 years

[3]

'4 years

[3]

'4 years

[3]

'3 years

[4]

Weighted Average Remaining Term (string type)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'<1

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

% of Debt Currently Hedged by Index

'

'

'

'

'

'

72.00%

[1],[5]

86.00%

[1],[5]

83.00%

[1],[5]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

[5]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional (CLF)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional (MWh)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,000,000

[1]

The Company’s interest rate derivative instruments primarily include accreting and amortizing notionals. The maximum derivative notional represents the largest notional at any point between September 30, 2013 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2030 and 2028, respectively.

[2]

Represents contractual notionals. The notionals for options have not been probability adjusted, which generally would decrease them.

[3]

Represents the remaining tenor of our foreign currency derivatives weighted by the corresponding notional. These options and forwards and these embedded derivatives range in maturity through 2016 and 2025, respectively.

[4]

Represents the remaining tenor of our commodity derivatives weighted by the corresponding volume. These derivatives range in maturity through 2016.

[5]

The percentage of variable-rate debt currently hedged is based on the related index and excludes forecasted issuances of debt and variable-rate debt tied to other indices where the Company has no interest rate derivatives.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 2 (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	$198	$100
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	396	602
Subject to netting arrangement [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	79	25
Derivative Assets Not Offset Under Netting Arrangements	-11	-9
Derivative Assets Not Offset By Collateral	0	0
Derivative Assets, Net	68	16
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	368	522
Derivative Liabilities Not Offset Under Netting Arrangements	-11	-9
Derivative Liabilities Not Offset By Collateral	-4	-5
Derivative Liabilities, Net	353	508
Current [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	36	14
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	136	178
Noncurrent [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	162	86
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	260	424
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	62	8
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	364	565
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	136	92
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	32	37
No longer carried at fair value [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	173	186
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	190	191
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	44	2
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	352	565
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	42	0
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	338	544
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	2	2
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	14	21
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	6	6
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	3	6
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	6	6
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	3	6
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	0	0
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	114	81
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	21	14
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	6	0
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	13	7
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	108	81
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	8	7
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	34	11
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	20	17
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	8	2
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	10	8
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	26	9
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	$10	$9

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 3 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	$7	($62)	$121	($194)
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-35	-32	-142	-191
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	-1	-3	29	-3
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	21	-4	29	-95
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-111	'	-111	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	10	-62	131	-204
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-32	-40	-95	-102
Loss on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	0	11	0	11
Cash Flow Hedge Additional Transaction Period	'	'	'	'2 months
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	-1	-2	29	-1
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	-1	-2	1	-5
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-1	-1	-3	-4
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Net Equity In Earnings Of Affiliates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-1	-2	-5	-4
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	0	0	0	-1
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	0	0	-6	0
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Asset Impairment Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	0	-5	0	-5
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Gain on sale of investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	'	'	-21	-96
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	10	'	10	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	2	4	-9	9
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-4	-3	-10	-9
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	0	-1	0	-1
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	4	15	-10	27
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	2	'	2	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	-1	0	1	12
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Net Equity In Earnings Of Affiliates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	-7	0	-22	0
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	3	4	7	4
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	24	-11	47	-87
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-5	'	-5	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	-4	-4	-2	-11
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-1	0	-1	0
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	-2	1	-1	4
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-3	0	-4	-2
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	4	-1	8	13
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Regulated Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	0	-3	0	-2
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Regulated Cost Of Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	1	-3	12	-20
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Income (Loss) From Operations Of Discontinued Business [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	$2	$15	($10)	$2

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 4 (Details) (DPL Subsidiary [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
DPL Subsidiary [Member]	'	'
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features [Line Items]	'	'
Net liability position, derivative transactions	$10,000,000	$13,000,000
Collateral posted for derivative transactions	4,000,000	5,000,000
Cash Collateral Received From Counterparties	0	'
Additional collateral that could have been required	$1,000,000	$2,000,000

Financing_Receivables_Details

Financing Receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	agreement
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'	'
Financing receivable	$217		'	$239
Derivative Assets, Gross	198		'	100
Number of Foninvemem Agreements	3		'	'
Foninvemem Agreement, collection period	'		'10 years	'
Number of Foninvemem Agreements with active collections	2		'	'
Argentina [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'	'
Financing receivable	182	[1]	'	196	[1]
Argentina [Member] | Excluded From Financing Receivables [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'	'
Noncurrent receivables	127		'	120
Derivative Assets, Gross	97		'	69
Dominican Republic [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'	'
Financing receivable	12		'	35
Brazil [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'	'
Financing receivable	$23		'	$8
[1]	Excludes noncurrent receivables of $127 million and $120 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $97 million and $69 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Debt_Recourse_Debt_Details

Debt Recourse Debt (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

17-May-13

Apr. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

31-May-13

31-May-13

31-May-13

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

7.75% Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]

7.75% Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]

7.75% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]

9.75% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

$750,000,000

'

$750,000,000

'

$250,000,000

$500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Term

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.88%

4.88%

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

9.75%

8.00%

'

'

Extinguishment of Debt, Amount

122,000,000

928,000,000

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on extinguishment of debt

'

'

0

0

212,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

163,000,000

Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

'

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$800,000,000

'

NonRecourse_Debt_Details

Non-Recourse Debt (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	$750,000,000	'	$750,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	122,000,000	928,000,000	300,000,000	'	'	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	0	0	-212,000,000	0
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	1,038,000,000	'	1,038,000,000	'
Maritza [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Assets	'	'	684,000,000	'	684,000,000	'
Kavarna [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Assets	'	'	84,000,000	'	84,000,000	'
Kribi [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Assets	'	'	46,000,000	'	46,000,000	'
Sonel [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Assets	'	'	398,000,000	'	398,000,000	'
Saurashtra [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Assets	'	'	2,000,000	'	2,000,000	'
Covenant Violation [Member] | Maritza [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	836,000,000	'	836,000,000	'
Covenant Violation [Member] | Kavarna [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	202,000,000	'	202,000,000	'
Covenant Violation [Member] | Kribi [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	256,000,000	'	256,000,000	'
Covenant Violation [Member] | Sonel [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	255,000,000	'	255,000,000	'
Covenant Violation [Member] | Saurashtra [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Default	'	'	21,000,000	'	21,000,000	'
Tiete [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	496,000,000	'	496,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	396,000,000	'
El Salvador [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	310,000,000	'	310,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	301,000,000	'
Sul [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	150,000,000	'	150,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	40,000,000	'
Mong Duong [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	339,000,000	'	339,000,000	'
DPL Subsidiary [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	200,000,000	'	200,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	425,000,000	'
IPL [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	170,000,000	'	170,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	110,000,000	'
Masinloc [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	500,000,000	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	'	'	43,000,000	'
Jordan [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	138,000,000	'	138,000,000	'
Cochrane [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	120,000,000	'	120,000,000	'
DP&L [Member] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Significant Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	445,000,000	'	445,000,000	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	'	'	$470,000,000	'

Contingencies_and_Commitments_1

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	agreement
Guarantees Letters Of Credit [Abstract]	'
The range of expiration dates of guarantees made by the Parent Company	'less than one year to more than 21 years
Lower limit of expiration dates of guarantees (less than one year)	'1 year
Upper limit of expiration dates of guarantees (more than 21 years)	'21 years
Obligations made by the Parent Company associated with non-recourse debt	$24
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	849
Number of agreements	36
Guarantees [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	654
Number of agreements	21
Maximum exposure range for each agreement	'
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1 for Guarantees and commitments and Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility)	1
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	275
Cash Collateralized Letters Of Credit [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	192
Number of agreements	11
Maximum exposure range for each agreement	'
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1 for Guarantees and commitments and Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility)	1
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	132
Letters of credit under secured credit facility [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	3
Number of agreements	4
Maximum exposure range for each agreement	'
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1 for Guarantees and commitments and Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility)	1
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	$2
Letters of credit under secured credit facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Letter of credit fees paid	0.20%
Letters of credit under secured credit facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Letter of credit fees paid	2.50%

Contingencies_and_Commitments_2

Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Environmental [Member]	'	'
Environmental Contingencies	'	'
Liability recorded for projected environmental remediation costs	$8	'
Litigation Contingencies	'	'
Minimum potential loss related to environmental matters	8	'
Maximum potential loss related to environmental matters	46	'
Litigation [Member]	'	'
Litigation Contingencies	'	'
Minimum potential loss related to environmental matters	889	'
Maximum potential loss related to environmental matters	1,400	'
Aggregate reserves for claims deemed both probable and reasonably estimable	$260	$320

Pension_Plans_Details

Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$4	$4	$12	$11
Interest cost	11	11	33	35
Expected return on plan assets	-15	-13	-46	-41
Amortization of prior service cost	1	1	4	4
Amortization of net loss	7	6	21	18
Total pension cost	8	9	24	27
Defined Benefit Pension Contributions Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Pension employer contributions	'	'	52	'
Pension estimated future employer contributions remainder of fiscal year	0	'	0	'
Foreign [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'	'
Service cost	6	4	20	13
Interest cost	122	123	394	390
Expected return on plan assets	-114	-107	-371	-340
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	18	9	59	30
Total pension cost	32	29	102	93
Defined Benefit Pension Contributions Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Pension employer contributions	'	'	109	'
Pension estimated future employer contributions remainder of fiscal year	$55	'	$55	'

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	$7,514	$9,729	'	'
Net income (loss)	223	-1,402	755	-680	'	'
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	-6	-25	-223	-269	'	'
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	34	-28	205	-14	'	'
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	12	6	39	19	'	'
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	86	12	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-382	-625	'	'
Disposition of businesses	'	'	-20	-37	'	'
Acquisition of treasury stock	'	'	-63	-301	'	'
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	'	'	39	40	'	'
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.08 per share)	'	'	-60	-30	'	'
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	83	0	'	'
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-7	-8	'	'
Ending Balance	7,966	7,836	7,966	7,836	'	'
Dividend	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared on common stock (per share amount)	$0	$0.04	$0.08	$0.04	'	'
Stock Repurchase Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of treasury stock (shares)	3,738,142	'	'	'	64,012,231	'
Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method Excluding Commissions	45	'	'	'	743	'
Treasury Stock Acquired Average Cost Per Share	'	'	'	'	$11.60	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	'	'	237	'	'	'
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	70,832,607	'	70,832,607	'	'	66,415,984
Unrealized Derivative Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized derivative losses, beginning balance	'	'	-481	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	54	'	'	'
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	97	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	151	'	'	'
Unrealized Derivative Losses, ending balance	-330	'	-330	'	'	'
Unfunded PensionObligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unfunded pension obligation, beginning balance	'	'	-382	'	'	'
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	9	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	9	'	'	'
Unfunded pension obligation, ending balance	-373	'	-373	'	'	'
Available For Sale Securities [Roll Forward] [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Available for sale securities, beginning balance	'	'	0	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	0	1	-1	1	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	1	0	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	0	'	'	'
Available for sale securities, ending balance	0	'	0	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, beginning balance	'	'	-2,057	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	'	'	-194	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	36	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	-158	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, ending balance	-2,215	'	-2,215	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	-2,920	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	-141	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	143	'	'	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	2	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	-2,918	'	-2,918	'	'	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	4,569	5,946	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	320	-1,087	'	'
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	'	'	-158	-158	'	'
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	'	'	151	6	'	'
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	'	'	9	5	'	'
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0	'	'
Disposition of businesses	'	'	0	0	'	'
Acquisition of treasury stock	'	'	-63	-301	'	'
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	'	'	39	40	'	'
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.08 per share)	'	'	-60	-30	'	'
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	12	0	'	'
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-6	3	'	'
Ending Balance	4,813	4,424	4,813	4,424	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	2,945	3,783	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	435	407	'	'
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	'	'	-65	-111	'	'
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	'	'	54	-20	'	'
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	'	'	30	14	'	'
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	86	12	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-382	-625	'	'
Disposition of businesses	'	'	-20	-37	'	'
Acquisition 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 ($0.08 per share)	'	'	0	0	'	'
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	71	0	'	'
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-1	-11	'	'
Ending Balance	$3,153	$3,412	$3,153	$3,412	'	'

Equity_Transactions_with_Nonco

Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Transfers To Noncontrolling Interests Table [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	$71	($1,568)	$320	($1,087)
Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares	'	'	83	0
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares	'	'	-7	-8
Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Transfers To Noncontrolling Interests Table [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number Of Projects Under Development	2	'	2	'
Alto Maipo And Cochrane [Member]	'	'	'	'
Transfers To Noncontrolling Interests Table [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares	'	'	-12	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Transfers To Noncontrolling Interests Table [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation	'	'	320	-1,087
Net increase in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for sale of subsidiary shares	'	'	12	0
Increase (decrease) in The AES Corporation's paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary shares	'	'	-6	3
Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interest	'	'	6	3
Change from net income attributable to The AES Corporation and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests	'	'	$326	($1,084)

Equity_Reclassifications_Out_o

Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non-regulated revenue	$1,940	$2,037	$5,933	$6,122
Non-regulated cost of sales	-1,403	-1,461	-4,423	-4,445
Regulated cost of sales	-1,663	-1,927	-5,082	-5,642
Interest expense	-357	-396	-1,065	-1,182
Interest income	85	88	213	261
Gain on sale of investments	3	30	26	214
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	32	-7	-16	-108
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	386	-1,283	1,105	-308
Income tax expense	-126	-172	-285	-514
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	15	25	21	49
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	275	-1,430	841	-773
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-146	-155	-431	-398
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	-78	-2	-111	68
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	71	-1,568	320	-1,087
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	-28	'	-143	'
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Unrealized Derivative Losses, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non-regulated revenue	-3	'	-4	'
Non-regulated cost of sales	-2	'	-4	'
Interest expense	-36	'	-105	'
Gain on sale of investments	0	'	-21	'
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	7	'	-3	'
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	-34	'	-137	'
Income tax expense	8	'	30	'
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	-1	'	-5	'
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	-27	'	-112	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	'	15	'
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	-25	'	-97	'
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Amortization Of Defined Benefit Pension Actuarial Loss, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non-regulated cost of sales	-1	'	-3	'
Regulated cost of sales	-17	'	-56	'
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	-18	'	-59	'
Income tax expense	6	'	20	'
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	-12	'	-39	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	'	30	'
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	-3	'	-9	'
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Available-For-Sale Securities, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	0	'	-1	'
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	0	'	-1	'
Reclassified Out of AOCI [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of investments	0	'	-1	'
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	0	'	-35	'
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$0	'	($36)	'

Segments_Details

Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
					segment				segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Number of strategic business units	'		'		6		'		'
Number of reportable segments	'		'		9		'		8
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	$4,003		$4,355		$12,108		$12,807		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	387	[1]	380	[1]	946	[1]	1,002	[1]	'
Reconciliation To Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes	'		'		'		'		'
Unrealized derivative gains (losses)	7		-22		46		-88		'
Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)	22		22		-25		8		'
Disposition/acquisition gains	4		25		30		206		'
Impairment losses	-236		-1,893		-284		-1,973		'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'		'		-207		0		'
Pre-tax contribution	184		-1,488		506		-845		'
Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests	217		230		620		586		'
Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates	15		25		21		49		'
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	386		-1,283		1,105		-308		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	41,250		'		41,250		'		41,830
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-223		-272		-759		-823		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	4,226		4,627		12,867		13,630		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	387	[1]	380	[1]	946	[1]	1,002	[1]	'
US - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	207		222		567		636		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	47	[1]	51	[1]	157	[1]	149	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	3,151		'		3,151		'		3,259
US - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	3	[1]	11	[1]	7	[1]	31	[1]	'
US - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	207		222		567		636		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	44	[1]	40	[1]	150	[1]	118	[1]	'
US - Utilities [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	763		796		2,159		2,206		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	87	[1]	108	[1]	182	[1]	198	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	7,924		'		7,924		'		7,534
US - Utilities [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	0	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	'
US - Utilities [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	763		796		2,159		2,206		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	87	[1]	108	[1]	181	[1]	197	[1]	'
Andes - Gener - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	539		560		1,738		1,685		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	62	[1]	84	[1]	198	[1]	193	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	5,969		'		5,969		'		5,820
Andes - Gener - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		-8		0		-26		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	3	[1]	-4	[1]	8	[1]	-14	[1]	'
Andes - Gener - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	539		568		1,738		1,711		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	59	[1]	88	[1]	190	[1]	207	[1]	'
Andes - Other - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	89		206		305		567		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	53	[1]	21	[1]	89	[1]	63	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	761		'		761		'		799
Andes - Other - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		-1		-1		-1		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	3	[1]	1	[1]	5	[1]	2	[1]	'
Andes - Other - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	89		207		306		568		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	50	[1]	20	[1]	84	[1]	61	[1]	'
Brazil - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	50		8		185		57		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	-16	[1]	-18	[1]	-38	[1]	-48	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	1,494		'		1,494		'		1,590
Brazil - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-222		-260		-752		-790		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	-53	[1]	-63	[1]	-181	[1]	-190	[1]	'
Brazil - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	272		268		937		847		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	37	[1]	45	[1]	143	[1]	142	[1]	'
Brazil - Utilities [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	1,224		1,448		3,749		4,209		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	84	[1]	82	[1]	183	[1]	233	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	7,300		'		7,300		'		8,120
Brazil - Utilities [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	36	[1]	42	[1]	122	[1]	128	[1]	'
Brazil - Utilities [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	1,224		1,448		3,749		4,209		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	48	[1]	40	[1]	61	[1]	105	[1]	'
MCAC - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	469		436		1,397		1,254		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	95	[1]	89	[1]	238	[1]	252	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	4,434		'		4,434		'		4,293
MCAC - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		-1		-1		-2		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	5	[1]	2	[1]	11	[1]	6	[1]	'
MCAC - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	469		437		1,398		1,256		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	90	[1]	87	[1]	227	[1]	246	[1]	'
EMEA - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	333		268		970		997		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	71	[1]	58	[1]	242	[1]	285	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	4,125		'		4,125		'		4,178
EMEA - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		-1		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	3	[1]	5	[1]	6	[1]	-3	[1]	'
EMEA - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	333		268		970		998		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	68	[1]	53	[1]	236	[1]	288	[1]	'
Asia - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	113		191		388		553		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	31	[1]	53	[1]	103	[1]	142	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	2,717		'		2,717		'		2,583
Asia - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	1	[1]	0	[1]	2	[1]	1	[1]	'
Asia - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	113		191		388		553		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	30	[1]	53	[1]	101	[1]	141	[1]	'
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	216		220		650		643		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	-127	[1]	-148	[1]	-408	[1]	-465	[1]	'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	1,766		'		1,766		'		1,927
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-1		-2		-5		-3		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	-1	[1]	6	[1]	19	[1]	38	[1]	'
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	217		222		655		646		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
External Adjusted Pre-tax Contribution	-126	[1]	-154	[1]	-427	[1]	-503	[1]	'
Discontinued Operations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	$1,609		'		$1,609		'		$1,727
[1]	Adjusted pre-tax contribution in each segment before intersegment eliminations includes the effect of intercompany transactions with other segments except for interest, charges for certain management fees and the write-off of intercompany balances.

Other_Income_and_Expense_Other

Other Income and Expense - Other Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Contract Termination	$0	$0	$60	$0
Reversal Of Legal Contingency	10	0	10	0
Gain On Sale Of Assets	2	2	9	5
Insurance Proceeds	0	0	0	10
Other Income - Other	13	5	27	24
Other income	$25	$7	$106	$39

Other_Income_and_Expense_Other1

Other Income and Expense - Other Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Loss On Sale And Disposal Of Assets	$12	$13	$36	$48
Contract Termination	0	0	7	0
Other Expense - Other	3	2	15	8
Other Expenses	$15	$15	$58	$56

Goodwill_Impairment_Goodwill_I1

Goodwill Impairment Goodwill Impairment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
					business
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment expense	$58,000,000	$1,850,000,000	$58,000,000	$1,850,000,000	'
Number Of Reporting Units To Which Purchase Price Is Allocated	'	'	'	'	2
Ebute [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Generation capacity mega watts	294	'	294	'	'
Goodwill impairment expense	58,000,000	'	'	'	'
DPL Subsidiary [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'	2,600,000,000
Effective tax rates	'	-13.00%	'	-167.00%	'
DP&L [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment expense	'	1,850,000,000	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'	2,400,000,000

Asset_Impairment_Expense_Detai

Asset Impairment Expense (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 09, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Poland Wind Projects [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Itabo (San Lorenzo) [Member]

Wind Turbines And Projects [Member]

Wind Turbines And Projects [Member]

Wind Turbines And Projects [Member]

Wind Turbines And Projects [Member]

Kelanitissa [ Member]

Kelanitissa [ Member]

Kelanitissa [ Member]

Kelanitissa [ Member]

St. Patrick [Member]

St. Patrick [Member]

St. Patrick [Member]

St. Patrick [Member]

St. Patrick [Member]

Other Impairment [Member]

Other Impairment [Member]

Other Impairment [Member]

Other Impairment [Member]

Wind turbines [Member]

Wind Projects [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

MW

MW

MW

Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset impairment expense

$81

$43

$129

$71

$65

$0

$65

$0

'

'

'

$0

$0

$46

$0

$15

$0

$15

$0

$0

$36

$0

$40

$0

$5

$0

$17

$0

$0

$11

$0

$11

$1

$2

$3

$3

$20

$16

Ownership interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

61.00%

89.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets carrying amount

'

'

'

'

79

'

79

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22

[1]

'

22

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

22

'

22

'

'

33

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

'

Assets, fair value

'

'

'

'

14

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

[1]

'

7

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

'

10

'

'

22

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Less Costs To Sell

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

Generation capacity (MW)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125

'

'

'

'

35

'

35

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lump sum payment received for termination of PPA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

See Note 14 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.

Other_Nonoperating_Expense_Oth2

Other Non-operating Expense Other Non-operating Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Nonoperating Expense	$122	$0	$122	$50
Elsta [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Expense	122	0	122	0
Generation capacity mega watts	630	'	630	'
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	240	'	240	'
Assets, fair value	118	'	118	'
China Generation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Expense	0	0	0	32
Innovent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Expense	0	0	0	17
Other Nonoperating Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Expense	$0	$0	$0	$1

Recovered_Sheet1

Discontinued Operations And Held-For-Sale Businesses (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

Sonel [Member]

Kribi [Member]

Dibamba [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Saurashtra [Member]

Kiev and Rivne [Member]

Kiev and Rivne [Member]

Kiev and Rivne [Member]

Kiev [Member]

Rivne [Member]

MW

business

customer

customer

Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Divestiture Of Ownership In Subsidiary Percent

'

'

'

'

56.00%

56.00%

56.00%

'

'

'

'

'

89.10%

84.60%

Asset Impairment Charges

$81

$43

$129

$71

'

'

'

$65

$12

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

262

19

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Less Costs To Sell

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

197

7

'

'

'

'

'

Generation capacity mega watts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39

'

'

'

'

'

Number of power distribution businesses sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds received from sale of businesses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

113

'

'

'

'

Customers Served

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

881,000

412,000

(Gain) loss on disposal and impairment write-down - discontinued operations

'

'

-108

130

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

-38

'

'

Discontinued Operations Income Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

124

232

539

759

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax

24

32

27

33

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax benefit (expense)

2

-2

-2

-8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax

26

30

25

25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, after income tax

($78)

($2)

($111)

$68

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dispositions_Details

Dispositions (Details) (AES Cartagena [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 26, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	MW
AES Cartagena [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dispositions	'	'	'	'
Cartagena generation capacity (MW)	1,199	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of ownership interest in Cartagena	$24	'	'	'
Pre-tax gain on disposal	'	$20	'	$178
Cartagena ownership interest sold	'	'	'	80.00%
Cartagena ownership interest prior to sale	'	'	'	70.81%
Acquirer's option to purchase additional ownership interest in Cartagena	'	'	'	20.00%
Term of buyer option to purchase Company's remaining interest	'	'	'5 months	'
Company's continuing ownership interest extension period (beyond one year)	'	'	'	'1 year

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$129	($1,585)	$410	($1,171)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	742	747	745	759
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.17	($2.12)	$0.55	($1.54)
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES	'	'	'	'
Stock options (Shares)	1	0	'	'
Restricted stock units (Shares)	4	0	4	0
Restricted stock units (Per Share)	$0	$0	$0	$0
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Income)	$129	($1,585)	$410	($1,171)
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Shares)	747	747	749	759
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$0.17	($2.12)	$0.55	($1.54)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	'	0.2	'	1.3
Shares of common stock issued under the Company's profit sharing plan	'	'	1	'
Exercise price exceeds market price [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	6.1	6.4
Exercise price exceeds market price [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	1.4	1.2
Anti-dilutive [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	'	2
Anti-dilutive [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	5.3	'	'
Anti-dilutive [Member] | Convertible Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15	15	15	15
Anti-dilutive; Lack of generated income [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	1	'	1.1
Anti-dilutive; Lack of generated income [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	3.1	'	3

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 06, 2013	Nov. 04, 2013	Oct. 04, 2013	Nov. 04, 2013	Nov. 04, 2013
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Payable November 15 2013 [Member]	Payable November 15 2013 [Member]	Payable Q1 2014 [Member]	Payable February 18 2014 [Member]
					Poland Wind Projects [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared on common stock (per share amount)	$0	$0.04	$0.08	$0.04	'	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05	$0.05
Committed proceeds from sale of equity method investments	'	'	'	'	$8	'	'	'	'
Equity method investment, committed realized gain (loss) on disposal, pretax, net of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	($3)	'	'	'	'