The AES Corporation (AES) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 03, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
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	'	723,269,141

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,515	$1,642
Restricted cash	482	597
Short-term investments	424	668
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $126 and $134, respectively	2,689	2,363
Inventory	710	684
Deferred income taxes	190	166
Prepaid expenses	177	179
Other current assets	1,220	976
Current assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	0	464
Total current assets	7,407	7,739
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'
Land	958	922
Electric generation, distribution assets and other	31,321	30,596
Accumulated depreciation	-10,095	-9,604
Construction in progress	3,444	3,198
Property, plant and equipment, net	25,628	25,112
Other Assets:	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	1,000	1,010
Debt service reserves and other deposits	549	541
Goodwill	1,468	1,622
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $156 and $153, respectively	299	297
Deferred income taxes	656	666
Other noncurrent assets	2,426	2,170
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	0	1,254
Total other assets	6,398	7,560
TOTAL ASSETS	39,433	40,411
CURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Accounts payable	2,130	2,259
Accrued interest	272	263
Accrued and other liabilities	2,170	2,114
Non-recourse debt, including $255 and $267, respectively, related to variable interest entities	2,095	2,062
Recourse debt	0	118
Current liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	0	837
Total current liabilities	6,667	7,653
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES	'	'
Non-recourse debt, including $1,026 and $979, respectively, related to variable interest entities	13,845	13,318
Recourse debt	5,783	5,551
Deferred income taxes	1,114	1,119
Pension and other post-retirement liabilities	1,332	1,310
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,106	3,299
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses	0	432
Total noncurrent liabilities	25,180	25,029
Contingencies and Commitments (see Note 9)	'	'
Cumulative preferred stock of subsidiaries	78	78
THE AES CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 814,347,602 issued and 723,221,508 outstanding at June 30, 2014 and 813,316,510 issued and 722,508,342 outstanding at December 31, 2013)	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	8,396	8,443
Accumulated deficit	-75	-150
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,023	-2,882
Treasury stock, at cost (91,126,094 shares at June 30, 2014 and 90,808,168 shares at December 31, 2013)	-1,095	-1,089
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,211	4,330
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	3,297	3,321
Total equity	7,508	7,651
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$39,433	$40,411

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$126	$134
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	156	153
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)	814,347,602	813,316,510
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	723,221,508	722,508,342
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	91,126,094	90,808,168
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Non-recourse debt - current balance at variable interest entities	2,095	2,062
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Non-recourse debt - current balance at variable interest entities	255	267
Non-recourse debt - current balance at variable interest entities	$1,026	$979

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'		'	'
Regulated	$2,116	$1,974		$4,258	$4,113
Non-Regulated	2,195	1,971		4,315	3,982
Total revenue	4,311	3,945		8,573	8,095
Cost of Sales:	'	'		'	'
Regulated	-1,844	-1,632		-3,776	-3,419
Non-Regulated	-1,648	-1,412		-3,184	-3,026
Total cost of sales	-3,492	-3,044		-6,960	-6,445
Operating margin	819	901		1,613	1,650
General and administrative expenses	-52	-53		-103	-107
Interest expense	-323	-337		-696	-707
Interest income	73	63		136	128
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-15	-165		-149	-212
Other expense	-17	-17		-25	-43
Other income	33	13		44	81
Gain on sale of investments	0	20		1	23
Goodwill impairment expense	0	0		-154	0
Asset impairment expense	-63	0		-75	-48
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	7	-18		-12	-48
Other non-operating expense	-44	0		-44	0
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	418	407		536	717
Income tax expense	-157	-76		-211	-159
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	20	2		45	6
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	281	333		370	564
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax expense of $8, $7, $22, and $5, respectively	7	-3	[1]	27	1
Net (loss) gain from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $5, $0, $4, and $(1), respectively	-13	3	[1]	-56	-33
NET INCOME	275	333		341	532
Noncontrolling interests:	'	'		'	'
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-139	-166		-275	-285
Less: (Income) loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3	0		9	2
Total net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-142	-166		-266	-283
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	133	167		75	249
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:	'	'		'	'
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	142	167		95	279
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-9	0		-20	-30
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$133	$167		$75	$249
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'		'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.20	$0.22		$0.13	$0.37
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	($0.02)	$0		($0.03)	($0.04)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$0.18	$0.22		$0.10	$0.33
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'		'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.20	$0.22		$0.13	$0.37
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	($0.02)	$0		($0.03)	($0.04)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$0.18	$0.22		$0.10	$0.33
DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING (in shares)	728	751		728	750
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.08		$0.05	$0.08
[1]	Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'		'	'
Income from operations of discontinued businesses, income tax expense	$8	$7	[1]	$22	$5
Gain/(loss) from disposal of discontinued businesses, income tax expense	$5	$0		$4	($1)
[1]	Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME	$275	$333	$341	$532
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 $1, respectively	0	-1	0	-1
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	0	1	0	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 $(7), $2, $(8) and $2, respectively	24	-226	29	-258
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively	-53	44	-47	41
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	-29	-182	-18	-217
Derivative activity:	'	'	'	'
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $22, $(28), $46 and $(28), respectively	-105	102	-225	86
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax (expense) of $(10), $(15), $(13) and $(22), respectively	13	61	32	85
Total change in fair value of derivatives	-92	163	-193	171
Pension activity:	'	'	'	'
Change in pension adjustments due to prior service cost, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(1), $0, $(1), $0, respectively	1	0	1	0
Change in pension adjustments due to disposal of discontinued operations for the period, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(9), $0, $(9), $0, respectively	14	0	14	0
Reclassification to earnings due to amortization of net actuarial loss, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $2, $(7), $(1) and $(14), respectively	10	13	16	27
Total pension adjustments	25	13	31	27
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)	-96	-6	-180	-19
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	179	327	161	513
Less: Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-102	-147	-227	-283
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$77	$180	($66)	$230

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, income tax	$0	$0	$0	$1
Available-for-sale securities, reclassification to earnings, income tax	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, income tax	-7	2	-8	2
Foreign currency, reclassification to earnings, income tax	0	0	0	0
Change in derivative fair value, income tax	22	-28	46	-28
Derivative reclassification to earnings, income tax	-10	-15	-13	-22
Pension, amortization of net actuarial loss, income tax	2	-7	-1	-14
Pension, prior service costs, income tax	-1	0	-1	0
Pension, net actuarial gain (loss) for the the period, income tax	($9)	$0	($9)	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$341	$532
Adjustments to net income:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	625	661
Loss (gain) on sale of assets and investments	7	-2
Impairment expenses	273	48
Deferred income taxes	52	-46
Provisions for contingencies	-48	36
Loss on the extinguishment of debt	149	212
Loss on disposals and impairments - discontinued operations	51	31
Other	46	23
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	-312	191
(Increase) decrease in inventory	-39	-12
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-72	55
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-316	-147
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities	-194	-252
Increase (decrease) in income tax payables, net and other tax payables	-176	-134
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	66	-11
Net cash provided by operating activities	453	1,185
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-908	-866
Acquisitions - net of cash acquired	-728	-3
Proceeds from the sale of businesses, net of cash sold	890	135
Proceeds from the sale of assets	16	43
Sale of short-term investments	2,198	2,311
Purchase of short-term investments	-1,925	-2,381
Decrease in restricted cash, debt service reserves and other assets	127	32
Other investing	-61	23
Net cash used in investing activities	-391	-706
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities, net	130	33
Issuance of recourse debt	1,525	750
Issuance of non-recourse debt	1,710	2,383
Repayments of recourse debt	-1,663	-1,206
Repayments of non-recourse debt	-1,349	-2,169
Payments for financing fees	-105	-127
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-197	-211
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	110	76
Dividends paid on AES common stock	-72	-60
Payments for financed capital expenditures	-312	-257
Purchase of treasury stock	-32	-18
Other financing	5	7
Net cash used in financing activities	-250	-799
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-14	-39
Decrease in cash of discontinued and held-for-sale businesses	75	8
Total decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-127	-351
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning	1,642	1,900
Cash and cash equivalents, ending	1,515	1,549
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:	'	'
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	676	700
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds	332	432
SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Assets received upon sale of subsidiaries	44	0
Assets acquired through capital lease	13	10
Dividends Payable	$0	$30

Financial_Statement_Presentati

Financial Statement Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 17 — 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 six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the 2013 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the 2013 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2014 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).
	New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
	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).
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company prospectively adopted 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 ASU No. 2013-11, UTBs are netted against all available same-jurisdiction losses or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the UTBs. The impact to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014 was a reduction of $66 million to “Other noncurrent liabilities” and an offsetting increase to “Deferred income taxes” under “Noncurrent liabilities.” There were no impacts on the results of operations and cash flows.
	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. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, which significantly changes the existing accounting guidance on discontinued operations. Under ASU No. 2014-08, only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations. Amongst other changes: equity method investments that were previously scoped-out of the discontinued operations accounting guidance are now included in the scope; a business can meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale upon acquisition and can be reported in discontinued operations; and components where an entity retains significant continuing involvement or where operations and cash flows will not be eliminated from ongoing operations as a result of a disposal transaction can meet the definition of discontinued operations. Additionally, where summarized amounts are presented on the face of financial statements, reconciliations of those amounts to major classes of line items are also required. ASU No. 2014-08 requires additional disclosures for individually material components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods therein. ASU No. 2014-08 should be applied to components classified as held for sale after its effective date. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-08 on its financial position and results of operations. The adoption is expected to reduce the number of disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operations.
	ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which brings to a conclusion its project to clarify principles for recognizing revenue, while resulting in a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The objective of the new standard is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across capital markets. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its financial position and results of operations.

Inventory

Inventory	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORY	'
	INVENTORY
	The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of the periods indicated:
		30-Jun-14		December 31, 2013
		(in millions)
	Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$	346	$	334
	Spare parts and supplies	364		350
	Total	$	710	$	684

Fair_Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 2013 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 the periods indicated:
			30-Jun-14															31-Dec-13
			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		$	—			$	260			$	—			$	260		$	—	$	435	$	—	$	435
	Certificates of deposit		—				72				—				72			—		151		—		151
	Government debt securities		—				44				—				44			—		25		—		25
	Subtotal		—				376				—				376			—		611		—		611
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		—				47				—				47			—		44		—		44
	Subtotal		—				47				—				47			—		44		—		44
	Total available-for-sale		—				423				—				423			—		655		—		655
	TRADING:
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		15				—				—				15			13		—		—		13
	Total trading		15				—				—				15			13		—		—		13
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		—				22				—				22			—		98		—		98
	Cross currency derivatives		—				—				—				—			—		5		—		5
	Foreign currency derivatives		—				15				111				126			—		15		98		113
	Commodity derivatives		—				47				17				64			—		18		6		24
	Total derivatives		—				84				128				212			—		136		104		240
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	15			$	507			$	128			$	650		$	13	$	791	$	104	$	908
	Liabilities
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—			$	226			$	183			$	409		$	—	$	221	$	101	$	322
	Cross currency derivatives		—				11				—				11			—		11		—		11
	Foreign currency derivatives		—				35				4				39			—		16		5		21
	Commodity derivatives		—				42				1				43			—		15		2		17
	Total derivatives		—				314				188				502			—		263		108		371
	TOTAL LIABILITIES		$	—			$	314			$	188			$	502		$	—	$	263	$	108	$	371
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amortized cost approximated fair value at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	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 six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (presented net by type of derivative). 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 June 30, 2014
			Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
			Rate				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(87	)		$	101			$	—			$	14
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		—				10				3				13
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(30		)		—				—				(30		)
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(2		)		—				(2		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				15				15
	Settlements		3				(2		)		(2		)		(1		)
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(69		)		—				—				(69		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		—				—				—				—
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(183	)		$	107			$	16			$	(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		$	—			$	9			$	—			$	9
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
			Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
			Rate				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(72	)		$	71			$	(3	)		$	(4	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(4		)		12				1				9
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		13				—				—				13
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(3		)		—				(3		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				11				11
Settlements		4				(1		)		—				3
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(42		)		—				—				(42		)
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		38				(9		)		—				29
Balance at the end of the period		$	(63	)		$	70			$	9			$	16
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		$	—			$	14			$	—			$	14
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
		Rate				Currency
		(in millions)
Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(101	)		$	93			$	4			$	(4	)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings		1				37				1				39
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(99		)		(1		)		—				(100		)
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(20		)		—				(20		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				12				12
Settlements		16				(3		)		(1		)		12
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		—				1				—				1
Balance at the end of the period		$	(183	)		$	107			16				$	(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		$	1			$	34			$	—			$	35
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
	Rate				Currency
	(in millions)
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	(412	)		$	72			$	(1	)		$	(341	)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings	(4		)		15				1				12
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	81				—				—				81
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	2				(6		)		—				(4		)
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	—				—				10				10
Settlements	48				(2		)		(1		)		45
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	222				(9		)		—				213
Balance at the end of the period	$	(63	)		$	70			$	9			$	16
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	$	—			$	13			$	1			$	14
The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of June 30, 2014:
Type of Derivative		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Amount or Range
								(Weighted Average)
		(in millions)
Interest rate		$	(183	)		Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		3.75% - 5.30% (4.67%)
Foreign currency:
Embedded derivative — Argentine Peso		111				Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 1 year		8.36 - 30.60 (20.06)
Embedded derivative — Euro		(4		)		Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.3	%
Commodity:
Other		16
Total		$	(60	)
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:
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Carrying				Fair Value											Gross
		Amount				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Loss
		(in millions)
Assets
Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
DPL (East Bend)		$	14			$	—			$	2			$	—		$	12
Ebute		99				—				—				47			52
UK Wind (Newfield)		11				—				—				—			11
Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
Cameroon		372				—				340				—			38
Equity method investments
Silver Ridge Power		317				—				—				273			44
Goodwill:(3)
DPLER		136				—				—				—			136
Buffalo Gap		28				—				—				10			18
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Carrying				Fair Value											Gross
		Amount				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Loss
		(in millions)
Assets
Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
Beaver Valley		$	61			$	—			$	—			$	15		$	46
Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
Wind turbines		25				—				25				—			—
Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
Ukraine utilities		143				—				113				—			34
_____________________________
(1)	See Note 15 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.
(2)	See Note 17 — 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 14 — Goodwill Impairments for further information.
The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets during the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted  Average)
		(in millions)								($ in millions)
Long-lived assets held and used:
Ebute		$	47			Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		0% to 1% (1%)
								Annual pretax operating margin		0% to 47% (24%)
								Weighted-average cost of capital		10.3	%
Equity Method Investment:
Silver Ridge Power (1)		273				Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		-57% to 1% (-4%)
								Annual pretax operating margin		-115% to 50% (6%)
								Cost of equity		13% to 16% (14%)
Total		$	320
_____________________________
(1) The fair value for Silver Ridge Power was determined using a combination of the bid price (a level 2 input) obtained for the sale of AES’ interest in solar photovoltaic projects in operation and under development in Bulgaria, France, Greece, India and the United States, and a discounted cash flow model for the solar photovoltaic projects that were retained in Italy, Puerto Rico and Spain.
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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, but for which fair value is disclosed.
		Carrying				Fair Value
		Amount				Total				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
		(in millions)
30-Jun-14
Assets
Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	220			$	194			$	—			$	—		$	194
Liabilities
Non-recourse debt		15,940				16,500				—				14,143			2,357
Recourse debt		5,783				6,147				—				6,147			—
December 31, 2013
Assets
Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	260			$	194			$	—			$	—		$	194
Liabilities
Non-recourse debt		15,380				15,620				—				13,397			2,223
Recourse debt		5,669				6,164				—				6,164			—
_____________________________
(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 and carrying amount of these accounts receivable exclude value-added tax of $38 million and $46 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu

Investments In Marketable Securities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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 June 30, 2014, $359 million of available-for-sale debt securities had stated maturities within one year, and $17 million of available-for sale debt securities had stated maturities between one and two years. Gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific-identification method. Pretax gains and losses related to available-for-sale and trading securities are generally immaterial for disclosure purposes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, 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. The following table summarizes the gross proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	1,158	$	619	$	2,218	$	2,323

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 2013 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 June 30, 2014 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)		3,154			$	3,154			4,886			$	4,886			11		60	%
	EURIBOR (Euro)		552			756				553			757				8		83	%
	LIBOR (British Pound)		65			111				65			111				12		83	%
	Cross Currency Swaps:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		4			191				4			191				14		67	%
	_____________________________
	(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 June 30, 2014 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2033 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-Jun-14
	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		11			$	497			1
	Chilean Peso		65,607			119				<1
	Brazilian Real		150			68				<1
	Euro		140			192				<1
	Colombian Peso		193,684			103				<1
	British Pound		61			105				<1
	Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives:
	Argentine Peso		809			99				10
	Kazakhstani Tenge		4,783			26				2
	Brazilian Real		81			37				<1
	_____________________________
	(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 2017 and 2025, respectively.
			30-Jun-14
	Commodity Derivatives		Notional			Weighted-Average Remaining Term(1)
			(in millions)			(in years)
	Power (MWh)		2			3
	Coal (Metric tons)		1			2
	_____________________________
	(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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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-Jun-14												31-Dec-13
			Designated				Not Designated				Total				Designated				Not Designated		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Interest rate derivatives		$	20			$	2			$	22			$	96			$	2	$	98
	Cross currency derivatives		—				—				—				5				—		5
	Foreign currency derivatives		5				121				126				4				109		113
	Commodity derivatives		33				31				64				8				16		24
	Total assets		$	58			$	154			$	212			$	113			$	127	$	240
	Liabilities
	Interest rate derivatives		$	406			$	3			$	409			$	318			$	4	$	322
	Cross currency derivatives		11				—				11				11				—		11
	Foreign currency derivatives		29				10				39				15				6		21
	Commodity derivatives		25				18				43				7				10		17
	Total liabilities		$	471			$	31			$	502			$	351			$	20	$	371
			30-Jun-14								31-Dec-13
			Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
			(in millions)
	Current		$	73			$	185			$	32			$	157
Noncurrent		139				317				208				214
Total		$	212			$	502			$	240			$	371
Derivatives subject to master netting agreement or similar agreement:
Gross amounts recognized in the balance sheet		$	69			$	484			$	91			$	314
Gross amounts of derivative instruments not offset		(18		)		(18		)		(9		)		(9		)
Gross amounts of cash collateral received/pledged not offset		—				(19		)		(3		)		(6		)
Net amount		$	51			$	447			$	79			$	299
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		$	163			$	185			$	169			$	190
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 periods indicated:
		Gains (Losses) Recognized in AOCL										Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended June 30,
Type of Derivative		2014				2013						2014				2013
		(in millions)										(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		$	(124	)		$	134			Interest expense		$	(33	)		$	(31	)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		—				(1		)
										Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(2		)		(2		)
										Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
Cross currency derivatives		—				(12		)		Interest expense		2				(3		)
										Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		4				(19		)
Foreign currency derivatives		3				1				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		3				2
Commodity derivatives		(6		)		7				Non-regulated revenue		6				(1		)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		—
Total		$	(127	)		$	130					$	(23	)		$	(76	)
		Gains (Losses) Recognized in AOCL										Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
		Six Months Ended June 30,								Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Six Months Ended June 30,
Type of Derivative		2014				2013						2014				2013
		(in millions)										(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		$	(274	)		$	121			Interest expense		$	(64	)		$	(63	)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(2		)
										Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(3		)		(4		)
										Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
Cross currency derivatives		(3		)		(11		)		Interest expense		1				(6		)
										Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		(6		)		(14		)
Foreign currency derivatives		(12		)		2				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		10				4
Commodity derivatives		18				2				Non-regulated revenue		19				(1		)
										Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
Total		$	(271	)		$	114					$	(45	)		$	(107	)
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 June 30, 2014 is $(117) million for interest rate hedges, $(4) million for cross currency swaps, $(5) million for foreign currency hedges, and $(6) million for commodity and other hedges.
For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013, pretax gains of $6 million and $0 million net of noncontrolling interests, respectively, were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of a cash flow hedge. Hedge accounting was discontinued as 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.
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 periods indicated:
				Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings
		Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
Type of Derivative				2014				2013				2014				2013
				(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	1			$	31			$	1			$	30
Cross currency derivatives		Interest expense		(1		)		—				(1		)		—
Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		—				—				—				—
		Non-regulated cost of sales		—				—				—				—
Total				$	—			$	31			$	—			$	30
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 periods indicated:
				Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings
		Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
				June 30,								June 30,
Type of Derivative				2014				2013				2014				2013
				(in millions)
Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	—			$	1			$	—			$	2
		Net equity in earnings of affiliates		—				—				—				(6		)
Foreign currency derivatives		Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		6				17				29				23
		Net equity in earnings of affiliates		9				(12		)		5				(15		)
Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		1				12				4				4
		Regulated revenue		—				3				—				—
		Non-regulated cost of sales		2				—				2				1
		Regulated cost of sales		2				11				(6		)		11
		Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses		(2		)		1				(7		)		(12		)
		Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		72				—				72				—
Total				$	90			$	33			$	99			$	8
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 $35 million and $11 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for all derivatives with credit risk-related contingent features. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, DP&L had posted $19 million and $6 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 $5 million and $0 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Financing_Receivables

Financing Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 the periods indicated:
			30-Jun-14		December 31, 2013
			(in millions)
	Argentina(1)		$	138	$	164
	Dominican Republic		1		2
	Brazil		14		18
	Total long-term financing receivables		$	153	$	184
	_____________________________
	(1)	Total receivables with the Argentine government were $243 million and $286 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts presented in the table above exclude noncurrent receivables of $105 million and $122 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Of the $105 million, approximately $82 million is expected to be contributed to a FONINVEMEM Agreement and approximately $23 million is expected to be contributed to a trust to be set up by the Argentine government as required by Resolution 95. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $111 million and $97 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	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.
	In March 2013, the Argentine government passed Resolution No. 95/2013 ("Resolution 95") to introduce a new energy regulatory framework. Applicable to the majority of generation companies, the new regulatory framework remunerates the fixed and variable costs plus a margin depending on the type of fuel consumed and technology used. On May 31, 2013, Resolution 95 became effective retroactively to February 1, 2013. CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, has been billing the generation companies in accordance with the Resolution 95 procedures since June 2013. 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. In March 2014, AES Argentina signed a framework agreement with the Secretary of Energy that outlines a plan to make an investment in new energy capacity in which AES Argentina will maintain 100% ownership, utilizing Resolution 95 new trust receivables to be accumulated through December 31, 2015. Terms and conditions of this plan are still being negotiated. In May 2014, the Argentine government passed a modification to Resolution 95 named Resolution No. 529/2014 ("Resolution 529"), which is retroactive to February 2014 and updates the remuneration amounts agreed upon in Resolution 95 and creates a new payment provision for major maintenance activities.

Investment_In_and_Advances_To_

Investment In and Advances To Affiliates	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO AFFILIATES	'
	INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO AFFILIATES
	Summarized Financial Information
	The following tables summarize financial information of the Company’s 50%-or-less owned affiliates that are accounted for using the equity method.
		50%-or-less Owned Affiliates
	For the Six months ended June 30,	2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	568	$	624
	Operating margin	150		150
	Net income	107		13
	Guacolda
	On April 11, 2014, AES Gener undertook a series of transactions, pursuant to which AES Gener acquired the interests it did not previously own in Guacolda for $728 million and simultaneously sold the ownership interest to Global Infrastructure Partners ("GIP") for $730 million. The transaction provided GIP with substantive participating rights in Guacolda, and, as a result, the Company continues to account for its investment in Guacolda using the equity method of accounting.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	Recourse Debt
	In February 2014, the Company redeemed in full the $110 million balance of its 7.75% senior unsecured notes due March 2014. On March 7, 2014, the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% senior notes due 2024. Concurrent with this offering, the Company redeemed via tender offers $625 million aggregate principal of its existing 8.00% senior unsecured notes due 2017. As a result of the latter transaction, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $132 million that is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	On May 20, 2014, the Company issued $775 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured floating rate notes due June 2019. The notes bear interest at a rate of 3% above three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly. Concurrent with this offering, the Company repaid $767 million of its existing senior secured term loan due 2018. As a result of the latter transaction, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10 million that is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. On June 16, 2014, the Company repaid in full the remaining balance of $29 million of its senior secured term loan due 2018.
	On July 25, 2014, the Company issued two notices to call $320 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes, $160 million of which will retire notes due in 2015 and $160 million of which will retire notes due in 2016. The Company anticipates closing the transactions on August 25, 2014.
	Non-Recourse Debt
	Significant transactions
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company's subsidiaries had the following significant debt transactions:
	•	Mong Duong drew $272 million under its construction loan facility;
	•	Gener issued new debt of $700 million more than offset by repayments of$853 million;
	•	IPL issued new debt of $130 million;
	•	Tietê issued new debt of $129 million more than offset by repayments of $132 million;
	•	Cochrane drew$125 million under its construction loans; and
	•	Alto Maipo drew $103 million under its existing loans.
	Debt in default
	The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default or accelerated as of the period indicated. The debt is classified as current non-recourse debt unless otherwise indicated:
			Primary Nature	30-Jun-14
	Subsidiary		of Default	Default Amount		Net Assets
				(in millions)
	Maritza (Bulgaria)		Covenant	$	815	$	572
	Kavarna (Bulgaria)		Covenant	195		88
				$	1,010
	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. Materiality is defined in the Parent's senior secured credit facility as having provided 20% or more of the Parent Company's total cash distributions from businesses for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters. As of June 30, 2014, none of the defaults listed above individually or in the aggregate result in or are at risk of triggering a cross-default under the recourse debt of the Company. In the event the Company is not in compliance with the financial covenants of its senior secured revolving credit facility, restricted payments will be limited to regular quarterly shareholder dividends at the then-prevailing rate. Additionally, payment defaults and bankruptcy defaults also preclude the making of any restricted payments.
	Interest Expense
	Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2014 has been reduced by approximately $48 million related to contingent interest accruals associated with disputed purchased energy obligations at Sul for which it was determined based on developments within the current quarter that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome for the payment of interest on the disputed obligations was no longer probable. Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2013 has been reduced by approximately $34 million related to the recognition of ineffectiveness on derivative interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges.

Contingencies_and_Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 19 years. The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of June 30, 2014. 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	$	333	16	<$1 - 53
	Asset sale related indemnities	287		5	$2 - 209
	Cash collateralized letters of credit	102		11	<$1 - 63
	Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility	1		2	<$1
	Total	$	723	34
	During the three months ended June 30, 2014, 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 June 30, 2014, the Company had recorded liabilities of $17 million for projected environmental remediation costs. Due to the uncertainties associated with environmental assessment and remediation activities, future costs of compliance or remediation with current legislation or costs for new legislation introduced could be higher or lower than the amount currently accrued. Moreover, where no liability 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 June 30, 2014. In aggregate, the Company estimates that the range of potential losses related to environmental matters, where estimable, to be from $1 million up to $3 million. The amounts considered reasonably possible do not include amounts accrued 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 liabilities for all claims of approximately $238 million and $239 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within “accrued and other liabilities” and “other noncurrent liabilities.” A significant portion of these accrued liabilities 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 accrued liabilities 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 accruals 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 accrued liability 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 June 30, 2014. 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 $1.2 billion and $1.8 billion. Certain claims are in settlement negotiations. The amounts considered reasonably possible do not include amounts accrued, 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
PENSION PLANS	'
	PENSION PLANS
	Total pension cost for the periods indicated included the following components:
		Three Months Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014						2013						2014						2013
		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	4		$	4		$	4		$	6		$	7		$	8		$	8		$	13
	Interest cost	12			129			11			134			24			251			22			273
	Expected return on plan assets	(16		)	(96		)	(16		)	(127		)	(32		)	(186		)	(31		)	(257		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	1			1			2			—			3			2			3			—
	Amortization of net loss	3			9			7			22			6			17			14			42
	Total pension cost	$	4		$	47		$	8		$	35		$	8		$	92		$	16		$	71
	Total employer contributions for the six months ended June 30, 2014 for the Company’s U.S. and foreign subsidiaries were $55 million and $80 million, respectively. The expected remaining scheduled employer contributions for 2014 are $1 million and $58 million for U.S. and foreign subsidiaries, respectively.

Equity

Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 the periods indicated:
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014												Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
			The AES Corporation Stockholders’ Equity				Noncontrolling				Total				The AES Corporation Stockholders’ Equity				Noncontrolling			Total
							Interests				Equity								Interests			Equity
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	4,330			$	3,321			$	7,651			$	4,569			$	2,945		$	7,514
	Net income (loss)		75				266				341				249				283			532
	Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(56		)		38				(18		)		(148		)		(69		)	(217		)
	Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		(99		)		(94		)		(193		)		123				48			171
	Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		14				17				31				6				21			27
	Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests		—				113				113				—				55			55
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—				(215		)		(215		)		—				(226		)	(226		)
	Disposition of businesses		—				(151		)		(151		)		(1		)		(20		)	(21		)
	Acquisition of treasury stock		(32		)		—				(32		)		(18		)		—			(18		)
	Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax		16				—				16				24				—			24
	Dividends declared on common stock ($0.05 per share)		(36		)		—				(36		)		(60		)		—			(60		)
	Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests		—				—				—				11				22			33
	Transaction between entities under common control		5				2				7				—				—			—
	Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests		(6		)		—				(6		)		(6		)		(1		)	(7		)
	Balance at the end of the period		$	4,211			$	3,297			$	7,508			$	4,749			$	3,058		$	7,807
	Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests
	Masinloc — On June 25, 2014, the Company executed an agreement to sell approximately 45% of its interest in Masin-AES Pte Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary that owns the Company's business interests in the Philippines, for $453 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. On July 15, 2014, the Company completed the Masinloc sale transaction and received proceeds of $453 million, including $23 million contingent upon the achievement of certain restructuring efficiencies. The proceeds of $453 million are approximately $300 million in excess of the carrying amount at June 30, 2014 of the Company’s 45% interest in Masin-AES Pte Ltd. The sale includes indirect interests in the 630 MW Masinloc coal-fired power plant, ongoing Masinloc facility expansion projects, and approximately 60 MW of potential energy storage projects in advanced development. The Company is currently evaluating the third quarter 2014 accounting implications of this sale.
	After completion of the sale, the Company continues to own a 51% net ownership interest in Masinloc and will continue to manage and operate the plant, with 41% owned by Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO Group) and 8% owned by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). As the Company maintained control after the sale, Masinloc will continue to be accounted for as a consolidated subsidiary within the Asia SBU reportable segment.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax and noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:
			Unrealized derivative losses, net				Unfunded pension obligations, net				Foreign currency translation adjustment, net				Total
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(307	)		$	(291	)		$	(2,284	)		$	(2,882	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(116		)		9				(9		)		(116		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		17				5				(47		)		(25		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(99		)		14				(56		)		(141		)
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(406	)		$	(277	)		$	(2,340	)		$	(3,023	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the periods indicated were as follows:
					Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations		2014				2013				2014				2013
					(in millions) (1)
	Unrealized derivative losses, net
			Non-regulated revenue		$	6			$	(1	)		$	19			$	(1	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		(1		)		(2		)		(2		)
			Interest expense		(31		)		(34		)		(63		)		(69		)
			Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)		—				(21		)
			Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				(17		)		4				(10		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(21		)		(74		)		(42		)		(103		)
			Income tax expense		10				15				13				22
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(2		)		(2		)		(3		)		(4		)
			Income from continuing operations		(13		)		(61		)		(32		)		(85		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		15				11				15				13
			Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	2			$	(50	)		$	(17	)		$	(72	)
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net
			Regulated cost of sales		$	(9	)		$	(19	)		$	(17	)		$	(39	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		1				(1		)		—				(2		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(8		)		(20		)		(17		)		(41		)
			Income tax expense		(2		)		7				1				14
			Other income		(2		)		—				(2		)		—
			Income from continuing operations		(12		)		(13		)		(18		)		(27		)
			Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		2				—				2				—
			Net income		(10		)		(13		)		(16		)		(27		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		7				10				11				21
			Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	(3	)		$	(3	)		$	(5	)		$	(6	)
	Available-for-sale securities, net
			Interest income		$	—			$	(1	)		$	—			$	(1	)
		Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(1	)		$	—			$	(1	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
		Gain on sale of investments		$	—			$	(4	)		$	—			$	(1	)
		Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		53				(35		)		47				(35		)
		Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	53			$	(39	)		$	47			$	(36	)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests				$	52			$	(93	)		$	25			$	(115	)
_____________________________
(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Stock Repurchase Program
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, shares of common stock repurchased under the existing stock repurchase program (the "Program") totaled 2,305,713 at a total cost of $32 million. The cumulative purchases under the Program totaled 86,317,944 shares at a total cost of $1 billion, which includes a nominal amount of commissions (average price per share of $11.98, including commissions). As of June 30, 2014, $159 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 91,126,094 and 90,808,168 shares were held as treasury stock at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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.
Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the Company, repurchased an additional 1,065,700 shares at a cost of $15.6 million, bringing the cumulative total through August 6, 2014 to 87,383,644 shares at a total cost of $1 billion (average price of $12.01 per share including commissions).

Segments

Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 and is organized by geographic regions which 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 Executive Officer (“CEO”). Using the accounting guidance on segment reporting, the Company has determined that it has six reportable segments corresponding to its six SBUs:
	•	US SBU;
	•	Andes SBU;
	•	Brazil SBU;
	•	MCAC SBU;
	•	EMEA SBU; and
	•	Asia SBU
	Corporate and Other — 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, not in revenue. “Corporate and Other” also includes corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our six 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 pretax 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. 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 investors in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the overall Company results.
	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 June 30, 2014 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 periods indicated was as follows:
	Revenue		Total Revenue						Intersegment						External Revenue
	Three Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	893		$	858		$	—		$	—		$	893		$	858
	Andes SBU		724			725			(1		)	—			723			725
	Brazil SBU		1,533			1,230			—			—			1,533			1,230
	MCAC SBU		692			694			—			—			692			694
	EMEA SBU		305			295			—			—			305			295
	Asia SBU		163			142			—			—			163			142
	Corporate and Other		5			3			(3		)	(2		)	2			1
	Total Revenue		$	4,315		$	3,947		$	(4	)	$	(2	)	$	4,311		$	3,945
	Revenue		Total Revenue						Intersegment						External Revenue
	Six Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	1,894		$	1,744		$	—		$	—		$	1,894		$	1,744
	Andes SBU		1,344			1,415			(1		)	—			1,343			1,415
	Brazil SBU		2,978			2,659			—			—			2,978			2,659
	MCAC SBU		1,330			1,363			(1		)	—			1,329			1,363
	EMEA SBU		696			638			—			—			696			638
	Asia SBU		331			275			—			—			331			275
	Corporate and Other		7			4			(5		)	(3		)	2			1
	Total Revenue		$	8,580		$	8,098		$	(7	)	$	(3	)	$	8,573		$	8,095
			Total Adjusted						Intersegment						External Adjusted
	Adjusted Pretax Contribution (1)		Pretax Contribution												Pretax Contribution
	Three Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	80		$	63		$	3		$	3		$	83		$	66
	Andes SBU		104			88			1			4			105			92
	Brazil SBU		115			78			—			—			115			78
	MCAC SBU		95			104			10			4			105			108
	EMEA SBU		73			72			3			2			76			74
	Asia SBU		23			40			—			—			23			40
	Corporate and Other		(150		)	(156		)	(17		)	(13		)	(167		)	(169		)
	Total Adjusted Pretax Contribution		$	340		$	289		$	—		$	—		$	340		$	289
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)														22			53
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)														(7		)	(23		)
	Disposition/acquisition gains (losses)														(2		)	23
	Impairment losses														(99		)	—
	Loss on extinguishment of debt														(13		)	(164		)
	Pretax contribution														241			178
	Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests														197			231
	Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates														20			2
	Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates														$	418		$	407
			Total Adjusted						Intersegment						External Adjusted
	Adjusted Pretax Contribution (1)		Pretax Contribution												Pretax Contribution
	Six Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	155		$	196		$	6		$	5		$	161		$	201
	Andes SBU		157			169			4			7			161			176
Brazil SBU		184			120			1			1			185			121
MCAC SBU		160			160			14			7			174			167
EMEA SBU		188			168			6			5			194			173
Asia SBU		31			71			1			1			32			72
Corporate and Other		(292		)	(325		)	(32		)	(26		)	(324		)	(351		)
Total Adjusted Pretax Contribution		$	583		$	559		$	—		$	—		$	583		$	559
Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
Non-GAAP Adjustments:
Unrealized derivative gains (losses)														32			39
Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)														(33		)	(49		)
Disposition/acquisition gains (losses)														(1		)	26
Impairment losses														(265		)	(48		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt														(147		)	(207		)
Pretax contribution														169			320
Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests														412			403
Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates														45			6
Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates														$	536		$	717
_____________________________
(1)	Adjusted pretax 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 the periods indicated were as follows:
		Total Assets
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
Assets		(in millions)
US SBU		$	9,835		$	9,952
Andes SBU		7,458			7,356
Brazil SBU		9,144			8,388
MCAC SBU		5,060			5,075
EMEA SBU		4,240			4,191
Asia SBU		2,953			2,810
Discontinued businesses		—			1,718
Corporate and Other & eliminations		743			921
Total Assets		$	39,433		$	40,411

Other_Income_and_Expense

Other Income and Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Contract termination (Beaver Valley)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	60
	Contingency reversal (Kazakhstan) (1)	18		—		18		—
	Gain on sale of assets	8		4		10		5
	Other	7		9		16		16
	Total other income	$	33	$	13	$	44	$	81
	_____________________________
	(1) Reversal of a liability in Kazakhstan from the expiration of a statute of limitations for the Republic of Kazakhstan to claim payment from AES.
	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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Loss on sale and disposal of assets	$	12	$	10	$	19	$	25
	Contract termination	—		—		—		7
	Other	5		7		6		11
	Total other expense	$	17	$	17	$	25	$	43

Goodwill_Impairment

Goodwill Impairment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill Impairment [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT	'
	GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
	DPLER — During the first quarter of 2014, the Company performed an interim impairment test on the $136 million in goodwill at its DPLER reporting unit, a competitive retail marketer selling retail electricity to customers in Ohio and Illinois. The DPLER reporting unit was identified as being "at risk" during the fourth quarter of 2013. The impairment indicators arose based on market information available regarding actual and proposed sales of competitive retail marketers, which indicated a significant decline in valuations during the first quarter of 2014.
	In Step 1 of the interim impairment test, the fair value of the reporting unit was determined to be less than its carrying amount under both the market approach and the income approach using a discounted cash flow valuation model. The significant assumptions included commodity price curves, estimated electricity to be demanded by its customers, changes in its customer base through attrition and expansion, discount rates, the assumed tax structure and the level of working capital required to run the business.
	In the preliminary Step 2, the goodwill was determined to have an implied fair value of zero after the hypothetical purchase price allocation and the Company accordingly recognized a full impairment of the $136 million in goodwill at the DPLER reporting unit during the three months ended March 31, 2014, which was the Company's best estimate of the impairment loss based on the results of the preliminary Step 2 test. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company finalized the measurement of the goodwill impairment charge that was recorded in the first quarter of 2014, which resulted in no adjustments to the amount recognized. DPLER is reported in the US SBU reportable segment.
	Buffalo Gap — During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an $18 million impairment of its goodwill at its Buffalo Gap reporting unit, which is comprised of three wind projects in Texas with an aggregate generation capacity of 524 MW, and is reported in the US SBU reportable segment.

Asset_Impairment_Expense

Asset Impairment Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE	'
	ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Beaver Valley	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	46
	DP&L (East Bend)	—		—		12		—
	Ebute	52		—		52		—
	UK Wind (Newfield)	11		—		11		—
	Other	—		—		—		2
	Total asset impairment expense	$	63	$	—	$	75	$	48
	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 SBU reportable segment.
	DP&L (East Bend) — During the first quarter of 2014, the Company tested the recoverability of long-lived assets at East Bend, a 186 MW coal-fired plant in Ohio jointly owned by DP&L (a wholly owned subsidiary of AES). Indications during that quarter that the fair value of the asset group was less than its carrying amount were determined to be impairment indicators given how narrowly these long-lived assets had passed the recoverability test during the fourth quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company determined that the carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable. The East Bend asset group was determined to have a fair value of $2 million using the market approach. As a result, the Company recognized an asset impairment expense of $12 million. East Bend is reported in the US SBU reportable segment.
	Ebute — During the second quarter of 2014, the Company identified impairment indicators at Ebute in Nigeria, resulting from the continued lack of gas supply and the increased likelihood of selling the asset group before the end of its useful life. The Company determined that the carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable. The Ebute asset group was determined to have a fair value of $47 million using primarily the market approach based on indications about the proceeds that could be received from a future sale, the amount of cash flows estimated to be received until that sale under its power purchase agreement and the amount of cash on hand. As a result, the Company recognized an asset impairment expense of $52 million. Ebute is reported in the EMEA SBU reportable segment.
	UK Wind (Newfield) — During the second quarter of 2014, the Company tested the recoverability of long-lived assets at its Newfield wind development project in the United Kingdom after the UK government refused to grant a permit necessary for the project to continue. The Company determined that the carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable. The Newfield asset group was determined to have no fair value using the income approach. As a result, the Company recognized an asset impairment expense of $11 million. UK Wind (Newfield) is reported in the EMEA SBU reportable segment.

Other_NonOperating_Expense

Other Non-Operating Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Non-Operating Expense	'
	OTHER NON-OPERATING EXPENSE
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Silver Ridge Power	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—
	Total other non-operating expense	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—
	Silver Ridge — On June 16, 2014, the Company executed an agreement to sell its 50% ownership interest in Silver Ridge Power, LLC (“SRP”) for a purchase price of $165 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, and excluding the Company’s indirect ownership interests in SRP’s solar generation businesses in Italy, Puerto Rico and Spain. SRP is a solar power joint venture of AES and Riverstone Holdings LLC with each partner having a 50% ownership interest in SRP. As a result of the Company's continuing interests and involvement in SRP's solar generation businesses in Italy, Puerto Rico, and Spain, the transaction will not result in a sale for accounting purposes until all continuing involvement by AES has been eliminated. The buyer also has an option to purchase the Company's indirect 50% interest in the Italy solar generation business for additional consideration of $42 million by August 2015.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company determined that there was a decline in the fair value of its equity method investment in SRP that was other than temporary based on indications about the fair value of the projects in Italy and Spain that resulted from actual and proposed changes to their tariffs. As a result, the Company recognized a pretax impairment loss of $44 million in other non-operating expense in the second quarter of 2014. The sale of the 50% ownership interest in SRP closed on July 2, 2014 for $179 million, including purchase price adjustments.

Discontinued_Operations_and_He

Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND HELD-FOR-SALE BUSINESSES	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND HELD-FOR-SALE BUSINESSES
	The following table summarizes the revenue, income from operations, income tax expense, impairment and loss on disposal of all discontinued operations for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013 (1)			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	104		$	164		$	233		$	426
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax	$	15		$	4		$	49		$	6
	Income tax expense	(8		)	(7		)	(22		)	(5		)
	Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	7		$	(3	)	$	27		$	1
	Net (loss) income from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	(13	)	$	3		$	(56	)	$	(33	)
	_____________________________
	(1) Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.
	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.). In June 2014 the Company sold its entire equity interest in all three businesses in Cameroon. Net proceeds from the sale transaction were $202 million with $162 million received at closing and non-contingent consideration of $40 million to be received in June 2016. The carrying amount of $40 million, which approximates fair value, is classified in other noncurrent assets and is secured by a $40 million letter of credit from a well-capitalized, multinational bank. Between meeting the held-for-sale criteria in September 2013 through the first quarter of 2014, the Company has recognized impairments of $101 million representing the difference between their aggregate carrying amount of $435 million and fair value less costs to sell of $334 million. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company recognized an additional loss on sale of $7 million. These businesses were previously reported in EMEA SBU reportable segment and "Corporate and Other".
	Saurashtra—In October 2013, the Company executed a sale agreement for the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary AES Saurashtra Private Ltd, a 39 MW wind project in India. The sale transaction closed on February 24, 2014 and net proceeds of $8 million were received. Saurashtra was previously reported in the Asia SBU reportable segment.
	U.S. wind projects—In November 2013, the Company executed an agreement for the sale of its 100% membership interests in three wind projects with an aggregate generation capacity of 234 MW: Condon in California, Lake Benton I in Minnesota and Storm Lake II in Iowa. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the buyer has an option to purchase the Company's 100% interest in Armenia Mountain, a 101 MW wind project in Pennsylvania at a fixed price of $75 million. The option is exercisable between January 1, 2015 and April 1, 2015 (both dates inclusive). The sale transaction closed on January 30, 2014 and net proceeds of $27 million were received. Approximately $3 million of the net proceeds received have been deferred and allocated to the buyer's option to purchase Armenia Mountain. These wind projects were previously reported in the US SBU reportable segment. Armenia Mountain has not met the held-for-sale criteria and, accordingly, is reflected within continuing operations.

Dispositions

Dispositions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 periods indicated. In the table below, income represents the numerator and weighted-average shares represent the denominator:
		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2014					2013
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	142	725	$	0.2	$	167	747	$	0.22
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—		—	—
	Restricted stock units	—		2	—		—		4	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	142	728	$	0.2	$	167	751	$	0.22
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014					2013
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	95	725	$	0.13	$	279	746	$	0.37
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—		1	—
	Restricted stock units	—		2	—		—		3	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	95	728	$	0.13	$	279	750	$	0.37
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 5 million and 7 million options outstanding at June 30, 2014 and 2013, 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 million and 1 million restricted stock units outstanding at June 30, 2014 and 2013, 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.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, all 15 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 six months ended June 30, 2014, 1 million shares of common stock were issued under the Company’s profit-sharing plan.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Stock Repurchase Program — The Company continued stock repurchases after June 30, 2014 under its stock repurchase program. For additional information on stock repurchases after the quarter, see Note 11— Equity.
	Dividends — On July 15, 2014 the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.05 per outstanding common share payable on August 15, 2014 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2014.
	Masinloc Sale — The sale of a noncontrolling interest in Masinloc closed on July 15, 2014. See Note 11 — Equity for further information.
	Silver Ridge Sale — The sale of the Company's ownership in Silver Ridge Power closed on July 2, 2014. See Note 16 — Other Non-Operating Expense for further information.
	Recourse Debt Transaction - On July 25, 2014 the Company issued two notices to call $320 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes. See Note 8 — Debt for further information.

Financial_Statement_Presentati1

Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 17 — 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.
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
	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).
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company prospectively adopted 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 ASU No. 2013-11, UTBs are netted against all available same-jurisdiction losses or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the UTBs. The impact to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014 was a reduction of $66 million to “Other noncurrent liabilities” and an offsetting increase to “Deferred income taxes” under “Noncurrent liabilities.” There were no impacts on the results of operations and cash flows.
	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. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, which significantly changes the existing accounting guidance on discontinued operations. Under ASU No. 2014-08, only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations. Amongst other changes: equity method investments that were previously scoped-out of the discontinued operations accounting guidance are now included in the scope; a business can meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale upon acquisition and can be reported in discontinued operations; and components where an entity retains significant continuing involvement or where operations and cash flows will not be eliminated from ongoing operations as a result of a disposal transaction can meet the definition of discontinued operations. Additionally, where summarized amounts are presented on the face of financial statements, reconciliations of those amounts to major classes of line items are also required. ASU No. 2014-08 requires additional disclosures for individually material components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and interim periods therein. ASU No. 2014-08 should be applied to components classified as held for sale after its effective date. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-08 on its financial position and results of operations. The adoption is expected to reduce the number of disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operations.
	ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which brings to a conclusion its project to clarify principles for recognizing revenue, while resulting in a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The objective of the new standard is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, across industries, and across capital markets. The revenue standard contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its financial position and results of operations.
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	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 liabilities for all claims of approximately $238 million and $239 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within “accrued and other liabilities” and “other noncurrent liabilities.” A significant portion of these accrued liabilities 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 accrued liabilities 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	'
	The segment reporting structure uses the Company’s management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how the Company manages the business internally and is organized by geographic regions which 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 Executive Officer (“CEO”). Using the accounting guidance on segment reporting, the Company has determined that it has six reportable segments corresponding to its six SBUs:
	•	US SBU;
	•	Andes SBU;
	•	Brazil SBU;
	•	MCAC SBU;
	•	EMEA SBU; and
	•	Asia SBU
	Corporate and Other — 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, not in revenue. “Corporate and Other” also includes corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our six 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 pretax 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. 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 investors in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the overall Company results.
	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 June 30, 2014 is segregated and is shown in the line “Discontinued businesses” in the accompanying segment tables.
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.

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Balance By Type	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of the periods indicated:
		30-Jun-14		December 31, 2013
		(in millions)
	Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$	346	$	334
	Spare parts and supplies	364		350
	Total	$	710	$	684

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 the periods indicated:
			30-Jun-14															31-Dec-13
			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		$	—			$	260			$	—			$	260		$	—	$	435	$	—	$	435
	Certificates of deposit		—				72				—				72			—		151		—		151
	Government debt securities		—				44				—				44			—		25		—		25
	Subtotal		—				376				—				376			—		611		—		611
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		—				47				—				47			—		44		—		44
	Subtotal		—				47				—				47			—		44		—		44
	Total available-for-sale		—				423				—				423			—		655		—		655
	TRADING:
	Equity securities:
	Mutual funds		15				—				—				15			13		—		—		13
	Total trading		15				—				—				15			13		—		—		13
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		—				22				—				22			—		98		—		98
	Cross currency derivatives		—				—				—				—			—		5		—		5
	Foreign currency derivatives		—				15				111				126			—		15		98		113
	Commodity derivatives		—				47				17				64			—		18		6		24
	Total derivatives		—				84				128				212			—		136		104		240
	TOTAL ASSETS		$	15			$	507			$	128			$	650		$	13	$	791	$	104	$	908
	Liabilities
	DERIVATIVES:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—			$	226			$	183			$	409		$	—	$	221	$	101	$	322
	Cross currency derivatives		—				11				—				11			—		11		—		11
	Foreign currency derivatives		—				35				4				39			—		16		5		21
	Commodity derivatives		—				42				1				43			—		15		2		17
	Total derivatives		—				314				188				502			—		263		108		371
	TOTAL LIABILITIES		$	—			$	314			$	188			$	502		$	—	$	263	$	108	$	371
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amortized cost approximated fair value at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
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 six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (presented net by type of derivative). 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 June 30, 2014
			Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
			Rate				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(87	)		$	101			$	—			$	14
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		—				10				3				13
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(30		)		—				—				(30		)
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(2		)		—				(2		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				15				15
	Settlements		3				(2		)		(2		)		(1		)
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(69		)		—				—				(69		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		—				—				—				—
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(183	)		$	107			$	16			$	(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		$	—			$	9			$	—			$	9
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
			Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
			Rate				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(72	)		$	71			$	(3	)		$	(4	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		(4		)		12				1				9
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		13				—				—				13
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(3		)		—				(3		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				11				11
	Settlements		4				(1		)		—				3
	Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3		(42		)		—				—				(42		)
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		38				(9		)		—				29
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(63	)		$	70			$	9			$	16
	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		$	—			$	14			$	—			$	14
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
			Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
			Rate				Currency
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(101	)		$	93			$	4			$	(4	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings		1				37				1				39
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity		(99		)		(1		)		—				(100		)
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity		—				(20		)		—				(20		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities		—				—				12				12
	Settlements		16				(3		)		(1		)		12
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3		—				1				—				1
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(183	)		$	107			16				$	(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		$	1			$	34			$	—			$	35
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Interest				Foreign				Commodity				Total
		Rate				Currency
		(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period	$	(412	)		$	72			$	(1	)		$	(341	)
	Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):
	Included in earnings	(4		)		15				1				12
	Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	81				—				—				81
	Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	2				(6		)		—				(4		)
	Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	—				—				10				10
	Settlements	48				(2		)		(1		)		45
	Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	222				(9		)		—				213
	Balance at the end of the period	$	(63	)		$	70			$	9			$	16
	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	$	—			$	13			$	1			$	14
Significant unobservable inputs, recurring	'
	The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of June 30, 2014:
	Type of Derivative		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Amount or Range
									(Weighted Average)
			(in millions)
	Interest rate		$	(183	)		Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		3.75% - 5.30% (4.67%)
	Foreign currency:
	Embedded derivative — Argentine Peso		111				Argentine Peso to U.S. Dollar currency exchange rate after 1 year		8.36 - 30.60 (20.06)
	Embedded derivative — Euro		(4		)		Subsidiaries’ credit spreads		5.3	%
	Commodity:
	Other		16
	Total		$	(60	)
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:
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
			Carrying				Fair Value											Gross
			Amount				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Loss
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
	DPL (East Bend)		$	14			$	—			$	2			$	—		$	12
	Ebute		99				—				—				47			52
	UK Wind (Newfield)		11				—				—				—			11
	Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
	Cameroon		372				—				340				—			38
	Equity method investments
	Silver Ridge Power		317				—				—				273			44
	Goodwill:(3)
	DPLER		136				—				—				—			136
	Buffalo Gap		28				—				—				10			18
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
			Carrying				Fair Value											Gross
			Amount				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3			Loss
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Long-lived assets held and used:(1)
	Beaver Valley		$	61			$	—			$	—			$	15		$	46
	Long-lived assets held for sale:(1)
	Wind turbines		25				—				25				—			—
	Discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses:(2)
	Ukraine utilities		143				—				113				—			34
	_____________________________
	(1)	See Note 15 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.
	(2)	See Note 17 — 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 14 — Goodwill Impairments for further information.
Fair value schedule of unobservable inputs, nonrecurring	'
	The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets during the six months ended June 30, 2014:
			Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted  Average)
			(in millions)								($ in millions)
	Long-lived assets held and used:
	Ebute		$	47			Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		0% to 1% (1%)
									Annual pretax operating margin		0% to 47% (24%)
									Weighted-average cost of capital		10.3	%
	Equity Method Investment:
	Silver Ridge Power (1)		273				Discounted cash flow		Annual revenue growth		-57% to 1% (-4%)
									Annual pretax operating margin		-115% to 50% (6%)
									Cost of equity		13% to 16% (14%)
	Total		$	320
	_____________________________
	(1) The fair value for Silver Ridge Power was determined using a combination of the bid price (a level 2 input) obtained for the sale of AES’ interest in solar photovoltaic projects in operation and under development in Bulgaria, France, Greece, India and the United States, and a discounted cash flow model for the solar photovoltaic projects that were retained in Italy, Puerto Rico and Spain.
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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, but for which fair value is disclosed.
			Carrying				Fair Value
			Amount				Total				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3
			(in millions)
	30-Jun-14
	Assets
	Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	220			$	194			$	—			$	—		$	194
	Liabilities
	Non-recourse debt		15,940				16,500				—				14,143			2,357
	Recourse debt		5,783				6,147				—				6,147			—
	December 31, 2013
	Assets
	Accounts receivable — noncurrent(1)		$	260			$	194			$	—			$	—		$	194
	Liabilities
	Non-recourse debt		15,380				15,620				—				13,397			2,223
	Recourse debt		5,669				6,164				—				6,164			—
	_____________________________
	(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 and carrying amount of these accounts receivable exclude value-added tax of $38 million and $46 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu1

Investments In Marketable Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Pre-Tax Gains And Losses On Available For Sale Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the gross proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	1,158	$	619	$	2,218	$	2,323

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Interest Rate And Cross Currency 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 June 30, 2014 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)		3,154			$	3,154			4,886			$	4,886			11		60	%
	EURIBOR (Euro)		552			756				553			757				8		83	%
	LIBOR (British Pound)		65			111				65			111				12		83	%
	Cross Currency Swaps:
	Chilean Unidad de Fomento		4			191				4			191				14		67	%
	_____________________________
	(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 June 30, 2014 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2033 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-Jun-14
	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		11			$	497			1
	Chilean Peso		65,607			119				<1
	Brazilian Real		150			68				<1
	Euro		140			192				<1
	Colombian Peso		193,684			103				<1
	British Pound		61			105				<1
	Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives:
	Argentine Peso		809			99				10
	Kazakhstani Tenge		4,783			26				2
	Brazilian Real		81			37				<1
	_____________________________
	(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 2017 and 2025, respectively.
Commodity Derivatives By Type Table	'
			30-Jun-14
	Commodity Derivatives		Notional			Weighted-Average Remaining Term(1)
			(in millions)			(in years)
	Power (MWh)		2			3
	Coal (Metric tons)		1			2
	_____________________________
	(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 June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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-Jun-14												31-Dec-13
			Designated				Not Designated				Total				Designated				Not Designated		Total
			(in millions)
	Assets
	Interest rate derivatives		$	20			$	2			$	22			$	96			$	2	$	98
	Cross currency derivatives		—				—				—				5				—		5
	Foreign currency derivatives		5				121				126				4				109		113
	Commodity derivatives		33				31				64				8				16		24
	Total assets		$	58			$	154			$	212			$	113			$	127	$	240
	Liabilities
	Interest rate derivatives		$	406			$	3			$	409			$	318			$	4	$	322
	Cross currency derivatives		11				—				11				11				—		11
	Foreign currency derivatives		29				10				39				15				6		21
	Commodity derivatives		25				18				43				7				10		17
	Total liabilities		$	471			$	31			$	502			$	351			$	20	$	371
			30-Jun-14								31-Dec-13
			Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
			(in millions)
	Current		$	73			$	185			$	32			$	157
	Noncurrent		139				317				208				214
	Total		$	212			$	502			$	240			$	371
	Derivatives subject to master netting agreement or similar agreement:
	Gross amounts recognized in the balance sheet		$	69			$	484			$	91			$	314
	Gross amounts of derivative instruments not offset		(18		)		(18		)		(9		)		(9		)
	Gross amounts of cash collateral received/pledged not offset		—				(19		)		(3		)		(6		)
	Net amount		$	51			$	447			$	79			$	299
	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		$	163			$	185			$	169			$	190
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 periods indicated:
			Gains (Losses) Recognized in AOCL										Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
			Three Months Ended June 30,								Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended June 30,
	Type of Derivative		2014				2013						2014				2013
			(in millions)										(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		$	(124	)		$	134			Interest expense		$	(33	)		$	(31	)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		—				(1		)
											Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(2		)		(2		)
											Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
	Cross currency derivatives		—				(12		)		Interest expense		2				(3		)
											Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		4				(19		)
	Foreign currency derivatives		3				1				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		3				2
	Commodity derivatives		(6		)		7				Non-regulated revenue		6				(1		)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		—
	Total		$	(127	)		$	130					$	(23	)		$	(76	)
			Gains (Losses) Recognized in AOCL										Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
			Six Months Ended June 30,								Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Six Months Ended June 30,
	Type of Derivative		2014				2013						2014				2013
			(in millions)										(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		$	(274	)		$	121			Interest expense		$	(64	)		$	(63	)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		(2		)
											Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(3		)		(4		)
											Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)
	Cross currency derivatives		(3		)		(11		)		Interest expense		1				(6		)
											Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		(6		)		(14		)
	Foreign currency derivatives		(12		)		2				Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		10				4
	Commodity derivatives		18				2				Non-regulated revenue		19				(1		)
											Non-regulated cost of sales		(1		)		—
	Total		$	(271	)		$	114					$	(45	)		$	(107	)
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 periods indicated:
					Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings
			Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	Type of Derivative				2014				2013				2014				2013
					(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	1			$	31			$	1			$	30
	Cross currency derivatives		Interest expense		(1		)		—				(1		)		—
	Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		—				—				—				—
			Non-regulated cost of sales		—				—				—				—
	Total				$	—			$	31			$	—			$	30
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 periods indicated:
					Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings
			Classification in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
					June 30,								June 30,
	Type of Derivative				2014				2013				2014				2013
					(in millions)
	Interest rate derivatives		Interest expense		$	—			$	1			$	—			$	2
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		—				—				—				(6		)
	Foreign currency derivatives		Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		6				17				29				23
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		9				(12		)		5				(15		)
	Commodity and other derivatives		Non-regulated revenue		1				12				4				4
			Regulated revenue		—				3				—				—
			Non-regulated cost of sales		2				—				2				1
			Regulated cost of sales		2				11				(6		)		11
			Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses		(2		)		1				(7		)		(12		)
			Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		72				—				72				—
	Total				$	90			$	33			$	99			$	8

Financing_Receivables_Tables

Financing Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Financing Receivables Table	'
	The following table sets forth the breakdown of financing receivables by country as of the periods indicated:
			30-Jun-14		December 31, 2013
			(in millions)
	Argentina(1)		$	138	$	164
	Dominican Republic		1		2
	Brazil		14		18
	Total long-term financing receivables		$	153	$	184
	_____________________________
	(1)	Total receivables with the Argentine government were $243 million and $286 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts presented in the table above exclude noncurrent receivables of $105 million and $122 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Of the $105 million, approximately $82 million is expected to be contributed to a FONINVEMEM Agreement and approximately $23 million is expected to be contributed to a trust to be set up by the Argentine government as required by Resolution 95. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $111 million and $97 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Investments_In_and_Advances_To

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments In and Advances to Affiliates Financial Information	'
	The following tables summarize financial information of the Company’s 50%-or-less owned affiliates that are accounted for using the equity method.
		50%-or-less Owned Affiliates
	For the Six months ended June 30,	2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	568	$	624
	Operating margin	150		150
	Net income	107		13

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt In Default	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default or accelerated as of the period indicated. The debt is classified as current non-recourse debt unless otherwise indicated:
		Primary Nature	30-Jun-14
	Subsidiary	of Default	Default Amount		Net Assets
			(in millions)
	Maritza (Bulgaria)	Covenant	$	815	$	572
	Kavarna (Bulgaria)	Covenant	195		88
			$	1,010

Contingencies_and_Commitments_

Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations	'
	The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of June 30, 2014. 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	$	333	16	<$1 - 53
	Asset sale related indemnities	287		5	$2 - 209
	Cash collateralized letters of credit	102		11	<$1 - 63
	Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility	1		2	<$1
	Total	$	723	34

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Table	'
	Total pension cost for the periods indicated included the following components:
		Three Months Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014						2013						2014						2013
		U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign			U.S.			Foreign
		(in millions)
	Service cost	$	4		$	4		$	4		$	6		$	7		$	8		$	8		$	13
	Interest cost	12			129			11			134			24			251			22			273
	Expected return on plan assets	(16		)	(96		)	(16		)	(127		)	(32		)	(186		)	(31		)	(257		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	1			1			2			—			3			2			3			—
	Amortization of net loss	3			9			7			22			6			17			14			42
	Total pension cost	$	4		$	47		$	8		$	35		$	8		$	92		$	16		$	71

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 the periods indicated:
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014												Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
			The AES Corporation Stockholders’ Equity				Noncontrolling				Total				The AES Corporation Stockholders’ Equity				Noncontrolling			Total
							Interests				Equity								Interests			Equity
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	4,330			$	3,321			$	7,651			$	4,569			$	2,945		$	7,514
	Net income (loss)		75				266				341				249				283			532
	Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(56		)		38				(18		)		(148		)		(69		)	(217		)
	Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		(99		)		(94		)		(193		)		123				48			171
	Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		14				17				31				6				21			27
	Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests		—				113				113				—				55			55
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—				(215		)		(215		)		—				(226		)	(226		)
	Disposition of businesses		—				(151		)		(151		)		(1		)		(20		)	(21		)
	Acquisition of treasury stock		(32		)		—				(32		)		(18		)		—			(18		)
	Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax		16				—				16				24				—			24
	Dividends declared on common stock ($0.05 per share)		(36		)		—				(36		)		(60		)		—			(60		)
	Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests		—				—				—				11				22			33
	Transaction between entities under common control		5				2				7				—				—			—
	Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests		(6		)		—				(6		)		(6		)		(1		)	(7		)
	Balance at the end of the period		$	4,211			$	3,297			$	7,508			$	4,749			$	3,058		$	7,807
Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax and noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:
			Unrealized derivative losses, net				Unfunded pension obligations, net				Foreign currency translation adjustment, net				Total
			(in millions)
	Balance at the beginning of the period		$	(307	)		$	(291	)		$	(2,284	)		$	(2,882	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(116		)		9				(9		)		(116		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		17				5				(47		)		(25		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(99		)		14				(56		)		(141		)
	Balance at the end of the period		$	(406	)		$	(277	)		$	(2,340	)		$	(3,023	)
Schedule Of Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the periods indicated were as follows:
					Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations		2014				2013				2014				2013
					(in millions) (1)
	Unrealized derivative losses, net
			Non-regulated revenue		$	6			$	(1	)		$	19			$	(1	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		(3		)		(1		)		(2		)		(2		)
			Interest expense		(31		)		(34		)		(63		)		(69		)
			Gain on sale of investments		—				(21		)		—				(21		)
			Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		7				(17		)		4				(10		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(21		)		(74		)		(42		)		(103		)
			Income tax expense		10				15				13				22
			Net equity in earnings of affiliates		(2		)		(2		)		(3		)		(4		)
			Income from continuing operations		(13		)		(61		)		(32		)		(85		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		15				11				15				13
			Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	2			$	(50	)		$	(17	)		$	(72	)
	Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net
			Regulated cost of sales		$	(9	)		$	(19	)		$	(17	)		$	(39	)
			Non-regulated cost of sales		1				(1		)		—				(2		)
			Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(8		)		(20		)		(17		)		(41		)
			Income tax expense		(2		)		7				1				14
			Other income		(2		)		—				(2		)		—
			Income from continuing operations		(12		)		(13		)		(18		)		(27		)
			Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		2				—				2				—
			Net income		(10		)		(13		)		(16		)		(27		)
			Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		7				10				11				21
			Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	(3	)		$	(3	)		$	(5	)		$	(6	)
	Available-for-sale securities, net
			Interest income		$	—			$	(1	)		$	—			$	(1	)
			Net income attributable to The AES Corporation		$	—			$	(1	)		$	—			$	(1	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
			Gain on sale of investments		$	—			$	(4	)		$	—			$	(1	)
			Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses		53				(35		)		47				(35		)
			Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation		$	53			$	(39	)		$	47			$	(36	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests				$	52			$	(93	)		$	25			$	(115	)
	_____________________________
	(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Revenue By Segment Table	'
	Information about the Company’s operations by segment for the periods indicated was as follows:
	Revenue		Total Revenue						Intersegment						External Revenue
	Three Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	893		$	858		$	—		$	—		$	893		$	858
	Andes SBU		724			725			(1		)	—			723			725
	Brazil SBU		1,533			1,230			—			—			1,533			1,230
	MCAC SBU		692			694			—			—			692			694
	EMEA SBU		305			295			—			—			305			295
	Asia SBU		163			142			—			—			163			142
	Corporate and Other		5			3			(3		)	(2		)	2			1
	Total Revenue		$	4,315		$	3,947		$	(4	)	$	(2	)	$	4,311		$	3,945
	Revenue		Total Revenue						Intersegment						External Revenue
	Six Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	1,894		$	1,744		$	—		$	—		$	1,894		$	1,744
	Andes SBU		1,344			1,415			(1		)	—			1,343			1,415
	Brazil SBU		2,978			2,659			—			—			2,978			2,659
	MCAC SBU		1,330			1,363			(1		)	—			1,329			1,363
	EMEA SBU		696			638			—			—			696			638
	Asia SBU		331			275			—			—			331			275
	Corporate and Other		7			4			(5		)	(3		)	2			1
	Total Revenue		$	8,580		$	8,098		$	(7	)	$	(3	)	$	8,573		$	8,095
Adjusted Pre-Tax Contribution by Segment Table	'
			Total Adjusted						Intersegment						External Adjusted
	Adjusted Pretax Contribution (1)		Pretax Contribution												Pretax Contribution
	Three Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	80		$	63		$	3		$	3		$	83		$	66
	Andes SBU		104			88			1			4			105			92
	Brazil SBU		115			78			—			—			115			78
	MCAC SBU		95			104			10			4			105			108
	EMEA SBU		73			72			3			2			76			74
	Asia SBU		23			40			—			—			23			40
	Corporate and Other		(150		)	(156		)	(17		)	(13		)	(167		)	(169		)
	Total Adjusted Pretax Contribution		$	340		$	289		$	—		$	—		$	340		$	289
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)														22			53
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)														(7		)	(23		)
	Disposition/acquisition gains (losses)														(2		)	23
	Impairment losses														(99		)	—
	Loss on extinguishment of debt														(13		)	(164		)
	Pretax contribution														241			178
	Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests														197			231
	Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates														20			2
	Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates														$	418		$	407
			Total Adjusted						Intersegment						External Adjusted
	Adjusted Pretax Contribution (1)		Pretax Contribution												Pretax Contribution
	Six Months Ended June 30,		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	US SBU		$	155		$	196		$	6		$	5		$	161		$	201
	Andes SBU		157			169			4			7			161			176
	Brazil SBU		184			120			1			1			185			121
	MCAC SBU		160			160			14			7			174			167
	EMEA SBU		188			168			6			5			194			173
	Asia SBU		31			71			1			1			32			72
	Corporate and Other		(292		)	(325		)	(32		)	(26		)	(324		)	(351		)
	Total Adjusted Pretax Contribution		$	583		$	559		$	—		$	—		$	583		$	559
	Reconciliation to Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes and Equity Earnings of Affiliates:
	Non-GAAP Adjustments:
	Unrealized derivative gains (losses)														32			39
	Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)														(33		)	(49		)
	Disposition/acquisition gains (losses)														(1		)	26
	Impairment losses														(265		)	(48		)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt														(147		)	(207		)
	Pretax contribution														169			320
	Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests														412			403
	Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates														45			6
	Income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates														$	536		$	717
	_____________________________
	(1)	Adjusted pretax 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 the periods indicated were as follows:
			Total Assets
			30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Assets		(in millions)
	US SBU		$	9,835		$	9,952
	Andes SBU		7,458			7,356
	Brazil SBU		9,144			8,388
	MCAC SBU		5,060			5,075
	EMEA SBU		4,240			4,191
	Asia SBU		2,953			2,810
	Discontinued businesses		—			1,718
	Corporate and Other & eliminations		743			921
	Total Assets		$	39,433		$	40,411

Other_Income_and_Expense_Table

Other Income and Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Components Of 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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Contract termination (Beaver Valley)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	60
	Contingency reversal (Kazakhstan) (1)	18		—		18		—
	Gain on sale of assets	8		4		10		5
	Other	7		9		16		16
	Total other income	$	33	$	13	$	44	$	81
	_____________________________
	(1) Reversal of a liability in Kazakhstan from the expiration of a statute of limitations for the Republic of Kazakhstan to claim payment from AES.
	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 June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Loss on sale and disposal of assets	$	12	$	10	$	19	$	25
	Contract termination	—		—		—		7
	Other	5		7		6		11
	Total other expense	$	17	$	17	$	25	$	43

Asset_Impairment_Expense_Table

Asset Impairment Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Details of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Asset	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Beaver Valley	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	46
	DP&L (East Bend)	—		—		12		—
	Ebute	52		—		52		—
	UK Wind (Newfield)	11		—		11		—
	Other	—		—		—		2
	Total asset impairment expense	$	63	$	—	$	75	$	48

Other_NonOperating_Expense_Tab

Other Non-Operating Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Expense	'
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Silver Ridge Power	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—
	Total other non-operating expense	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—

Discontinued_Operations_and_He1

Discontinued Operations and Held-For-Sale Businesses (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013 (1)			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenue	$	104		$	164		$	233		$	426
	Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax	$	15		$	4		$	49		$	6
	Income tax expense	(8		)	(7		)	(22		)	(5		)
	Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	7		$	(3	)	$	27		$	1
	Net (loss) income from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, after income tax	$	(13	)	$	3		$	(56	)	$	(33	)
	_____________________________
	(1) Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 periods indicated. In the table below, income represents the numerator and weighted-average shares represent the denominator:
		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2014					2013
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	142	725	$	0.2	$	167	747	$	0.22
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—		—	—
	Restricted stock units	—		2	—		—		4	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	142	728	$	0.2	$	167	751	$	0.22
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014					2013
		Income		Shares	$ per Share		Income		Shares	$ per Share
		(in millions except per share data)
	BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders	$	95	725	$	0.13	$	279	746	$	0.37
	EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
	Stock options	—		1	—		—		1	—
	Restricted stock units	—		2	—		—		3	—
	DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	95	728	$	0.13	$	279	750	$	0.37

Financial_Statement_Presentati2

Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details) (Accounting Standards Update 2013-11 [Member], USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'
New accounting pronouncement, estimated impact to Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet	($66)
Noncurrent Deferred Tax Liabilities [Member]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'
New accounting pronouncement, estimated impact to Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet	$66

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Coal, fuel oil and other raw materials	$346	$334
Spare parts and supplies	364	350
Total	$710	$684

Fair_Value_Recurring_Measureme

Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt securities:	'		'
Unsecured debentures	$260	[1]	$435	[1]
Certificates of deposit	72	[1]	151	[1]
Government debt securities	44	[1]	25	[1]
Subtotal	376	[1]	611	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	47	[1]	44	[1]
Subtotal	47	[1]	44	[1]
Total available-for-sale	423	[1]	655	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	15		13
Total trading	15		13
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	212		240
TOTAL ASSETS	650		908
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	502		371
TOTAL LIABILITIES	502		371
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	22		98
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	409		322
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		5
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	11		11
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	126		113
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	39		21
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	64		24
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	43		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	15		13
Total trading	15		13
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
TOTAL ASSETS	15		13
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	260	[1]	435	[1]
Certificates of deposit	72	[1]	151	[1]
Government debt securities	44	[1]	25	[1]
Subtotal	376	[1]	611	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	47	[1]	44	[1]
Subtotal	47	[1]	44	[1]
Total available-for-sale	423	[1]	655	[1]
Equity securities:	'		'
Mutual funds	0		0
Total trading	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	84		136
TOTAL ASSETS	507		791
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	314		263
TOTAL LIABILITIES	314		263
Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	22		98
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	226		221
Level 2 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		5
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	11		11
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	15		15
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	35		16
Level 2 [Member] | Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	47		18
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	42		15
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	128		104
TOTAL ASSETS	128		104
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	188		108
TOTAL LIABILITIES	188		108
Level 3 [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	0		0
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	183		101
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	111		98
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	4		5
Level 3 [Member] | Commodity derivatives [Member]	'		'
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	17		6
DERIVATIVES:	'		'
Total derivatives	$1		$2
[1]	Amortized cost approximated fair value at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Fair_Value_Level_3_Reconciliat

Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$14	($4)	($4)	($341)
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	13	9	39	12
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	-30	13	-100	81
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	-2	-3	-20	-4
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	15	11	12	10
Settlements	-1	3	12	45
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	-69	-42	'	'
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	29	1	213
Balance at the end of the period	-60	16	-60	16
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	9	14	35	14
Interest Rate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-87	-72	-101	-412
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	0	-4	1	-4
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	-30	13	-99	81
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	0	0	0	2
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	0	0	0	0
Settlements	3	4	16	48
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	-69	-42	'	'
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	38	0	222
Balance at the end of the period	-183	-63	-183	-63
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	0	1	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	101	71	93	72
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	10	12	37	15
Included in other comprehensive income - derivative activity	0	0	-1	0
Included in other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation activity	-2	-3	-20	-6
Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities	0	0	0	0
Settlements	-2	-1	-3	-2
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	0	0	'	'
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	-9	1	-9
Balance at the end of the period	107	70	107	70
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	9	14	34	13
Commodity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	0	-3	4	-1
Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):	'	'	'	'
Included in earnings	3	1	1	1
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	15	11	12	10
Settlements	-2	0	-1	-1
Transfers of assets (liabilities) into Level 3	0	0	'	'
Transfers of (assets) liabilities out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	16	9	16	9
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	$0	$0	$1

Fair_Value_Quantitative_Inform

Fair Value (Quantitative Information) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	($60)	$14	($4)	$16	($4)	($341)
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	-183	-87	-101	-63	-72	-412
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	3.75%	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	5.30%	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	4.67%	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Argentine Peso [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	111	'	'	'	'	'
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 1 year	8.36	'	'	'	'	'
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 1 year	30.6	'	'	'	'	'
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 1 year	20.06	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative Euro [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	-4	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiaries' credit risk	5.30%	'	'	'	'	'
Commodity And Other Derivative Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Derivative Assets Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value	$16	'	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Nonrecurring_Measur

Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measurements) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

East Bend DPL [Member]

Ebute [Member]

UK Wind (Newfield) [Member]

DPLER [Member]

DPLER [Member]

Buffalo Gap [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Carrying Amount [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [Member]

Fair Value [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]

East Bend DPL [Member]

Ebute [Member]

UK Wind (Newfield) [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Wind turbines [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Ukraine utilities [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

DPLER [Member]

Buffalo Gap [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Ebute and Silver Ridge Power [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Discontinued operations and held for sale businesses [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Goodwill [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

East Bend DPL [Member]

Ebute [Member]

UK Wind (Newfield) [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Wind turbines [Member]

Wind turbines [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Ukraine utilities [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

DPLER [Member]

Buffalo Gap [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

East Bend DPL [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Beaver Valley [Member]

Wind turbines [Member]

Ukraine utilities [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Ukraine utilities [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

Buffalo Gap [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]

Equity Method Investee [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

Ebute [Member]

Silver Ridge Power [Member]

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Nonrecurring

'

'

'

'

$2,000,000

$47,000,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14,000,000

[1]

$99,000,000

[1]

$11,000,000

[1]

$61,000,000

[1]

$25,000,000

[1]

$25,000,000

[1]

$372,000,000

[2]

$143,000,000

$317,000,000

$136,000,000

[3]

$28,000,000

[3]

$320,000,000

$2,000,000

[1]

$0

[1]

$47,000,000

$0

[1]

$0

[1]

$15,000,000

[1]

$0

[1]

$0

[1]

$340,000,000

[2]

$113,000,000

$273,000,000

[4]

$10,000,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total other non-operating expense

44,000,000

0

44,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment expenses

'

'

273,000,000

48,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

[1]

52,000,000

[1]

11,000,000

[1]

46,000,000

[1]

0

[1]

38,000,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment expense

$0

$0

$154,000,000

$0

'

'

'

$0

$136,000,000

$18,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$34,000,000

'

$136,000,000

[3]

$18,000,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual Revenue Growth Input

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

-57.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

-4.00%

Pretax Operating Margin Input

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

-115.00%

47.00%

50.00%

24.00%

6.00%

Fair Value Inputs, Cost of Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13.00%

'

16.00%

'

14.00%

Weighted Average Cost Of Capital Input

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

See Note 15 — Asset Impairment Expense for further information.

[2]

See Note 17 — 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 14 — Goodwill Impairments for further information.

[4]

The fair value for Silver Ridge Power was determined using a combination of the bid price (a level 2 input) obtained for the sale of AES’ interest in solar photovoltaic projects in operation and under development in Bulgaria, France, Greece, India and the United States, and a discounted cash flow model for the solar photovoltaic projects that were retained in Italy, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Fair_Value_Instruments_Not_Mea

Fair Value (Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
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	$220	[1]	$260	[1]
Non-recourse debt	15,940		15,380
Recourse debt	5,783		5,669
Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	194	[1]	194	[1]
Non-recourse debt	16,500		15,620
Recourse debt	6,147		6,164
Value added tax	38		46
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	14,143		13,397
Recourse debt	6,147		6,164
Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value In the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	194	[1]	194	[1]
Non-recourse debt	2,357		2,223
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 and carrying amount of these accounts receivable exclude value-added tax of $38 million and $46 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Investments_In_Marketable_Secu2

Investments In Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Amortized Cost Basis	$359,000,000	'	$359,000,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Noncurrent	17,000,000	'	17,000,000	'
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
Gross proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$1,158,000,000	$619,000,000	$2,218,000,000	$2,323,000,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 1 (Details)

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

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]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Embedded Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]

Commodity Derivatives [Member]

Coal Metric Tons [Member]

Libor USD [Member]

Euribor EUR [Member]

Libor GBP [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Chilean Unidad De Fomento CLF [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Current Notional [Member]

Current Notional [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]

British Pound GBP [Member]

British Pound GBP [Member]

Brazilian Real BRL [Member]

Brazilian Real BRL [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

Argentine Peso ARS [Member]

British Pound GBP [Member]

Kazakhstani Tenge KZT [Member]

Kazakhstani Tenge KZT [Member]

Power MWh [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 ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

ARS

USD ($)

KZT

MWh

T

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

CLF

USD ($)

CLF

Derivative Tables [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, notional amount

'

'

'

$4,886

[1]

$757

[1]

€ 553

[1]

$111

[1]

£ 65

[1]

$3,154

[1]

$756

[1]

€ 552

[1]

$111

[1]

£ 65

[1]

'

$191

4

$191

4

$497

11

[2]

$119

65,607

[2]

$68

150

[2]

$192

€ 140

[2]

$103

193,684

[2]

'

$105

£ 61

[2]

$37

81

[2]

$99

809

[2]

'

$26

4,783

[2]

'

'

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

'11 years

[1]

'8 years

[1]

'12 years

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'14 years

'

'

'

'

'1 year

[3]

'1 year

[3]

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'1 year

'

'

'10 years

[3]

'10 years

[3]

'1 year

'2 years

[3]

'2 years

[3]

'3 years

[4]

'2 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

60.00%

[1],[5]

83.00%

[1],[5]

83.00%

[1],[5]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

67.00%

[5]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional (MWh)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

1,000,000

[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 June 30, 2014 and the maturity of the derivative instrument, which includes forward-starting derivative instruments. The interest rate and cross currency derivatives range in maturity through 2033 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 2017 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 $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	$212	$240
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	502	371
Subject to netting arrangement [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	69	91
Derivative Assets Not Offset Under Netting Arrangements	-18	-9
Derivative Assets Not Offset By Collateral	0	-3
Derivative Assets, Net	51	79
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	484	314
Derivative Liabilities Not Offset Under Netting Arrangements	-18	-9
Derivative Liabilities Not Offset By Collateral	-19	-6
Derivative Liabilities, Net	447	299
Current [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	73	32
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	185	157
Noncurrent [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	139	208
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	317	214
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	58	113
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	471	351
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	154	127
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	31	20
No longer carried at fair value [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	163	169
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	185	190
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	22	98
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	409	322
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	20	96
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	406	318
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	2	2
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	3	4
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	0	5
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	11	11
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	0	5
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	11	11
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	126	113
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	39	21
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	5	4
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	29	15
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	121	109
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	10	6
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	64	24
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	43	17
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	33	8
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	25	7
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Derivative Assets, Gross	31	16
Liabilities	'	'
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	$18	$10

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 3 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	($127)	$130	($271)	$114
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-23	-76	-45	-107
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	0	31	0	30
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	90	33	99	8
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	6	0	'	'
Interest rate derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	-124	134	-274	121
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-117	'	-117	'
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-33	-31	-64	-63
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	1	31	1	30
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	0	1	0	2
Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	0	-1	-1	-2
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	-2	-2	-3	-4
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	0	0	0	-6
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate derivatives [Member] | Sale of Subsidiary Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	0	-21	0	-21
Cross currency derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	0	-12	-3	-11
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-4	'	-4	'
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	2	-3	1	-6
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (ineffective portion)	-1	0	-1	0
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	-19	-6	-14
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	3	1	-12	2
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-5	'	-5	'
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)	9	-12	5	-15
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	2	10	4
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	6	17	29	23
Commodity derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	-6	7	18	2
AOCI to be recognized in next 12 months table	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	-6	'	-6	'
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	-3	0	-1	0
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	2	0	2	1
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings	6	-1	19	-1
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	1	12	4	4
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	0
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)	2	11	-6	11
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	1	-7	-12
Commodity derivatives [Member] | Net Loss from Disposal and Impairments of Discontinued Business [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables	'	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	$72	$0	$72	$0

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 4 (Details) (DPL Subsidiary [Member], USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
DPL Subsidiary [Member]	'	'
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features [Line Items]	'	'
Net liability position, derivative transactions	$35,000,000	$11,000,000
Collateral posted for derivative transactions	19,000,000	6,000,000
Cash Collateral Received From Counterparties	0	0
Additional collateral that could have been required	$5,000,000	$0

Financing_Receivables_Details

Financing Receivables (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

agreement

Argentina [Member]

Argentina [Member]

Argentina [Member]

Argentina [Member]

Argentina [Member]

Argentina [Member]

Dominican Republic [Member]

Dominican Republic [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

AES Argentina [Member]

Excluded From Financing Receivables [Member]

Excluded From Financing Receivables [Member]

Excluded From Financing Receivables - FONINVEMEM Agreements [Member]

Resolution 95 Trust Agreement [Member]

Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing receivable

$153

$184

$138

[1]

$164

[1]

'

'

'

'

$1

$2

$14

$18

'

Financing Receivable, Gross

'

'

243

286

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncurrent receivables

'

'

'

'

105

122

82

23

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Assets, Gross

$212

$240

'

'

$111

$97

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Planned investment in new energy capacity, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

Number of Foninvemem Agreements

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foninvemem Agreement, collection period

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Foninvemem Agreements with active collections

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Total receivables with the Argentine government were $243 million and $286 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts presented in the table above exclude noncurrent receivables of $105 million and $122 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Of the $105 million, approximately $82 million is expected to be contributed to a FONINVEMEM Agreement and approximately $23 million is expected to be contributed to a trust to be set up by the Argentine government as required by Resolution 95. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $111 million and $97 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Investments_In_and_Advances_To1

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Apr. 11, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
					Global Infrastructure Partners [Member]	Minority Owned Affiliates [Member]	Minority Owned Affiliates [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	$568	$624
Operating margin	819	901	1,613	1,650	'	150	150
Net income	275	333	341	532	'	107	13
Acquisitions - net of cash acquired	'	'	-728	-3	'	'	'
Proceeds from Interests in Affiliate	'	'	$890	$135	$730	'	'

Debt_Recourse_Debt_Details

Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 07, 2014

20-May-14

20-May-14

Jul. 25, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Mar. 07, 2014

Jun. 16, 2014

20-May-14

Jul. 25, 2014

Jul. 25, 2014

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

Recourse Debt [Member]

5.50% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]

Floating Rate Notes Due June 2019 [Member]

Floating Rate Notes Due June 2019 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

7.75% Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Note Due 2015 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Note Due 2016 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redeemed notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$110,000,000

$625,000,000

$29,000,000

$767,000,000

'

'

Interest rate on senior notes

'

'

'

'

5.50%

'

'

'

7.75%

8.00%

'

'

'

'

Issued senior notes

'

'

'

'

750,000,000

'

775,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on extinguishment of debt

15,000,000

165,000,000

149,000,000

212,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

132,000,000

'

10,000,000

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Notice Call to Retire Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$320,000,000

'

'

'

'

$160,000,000

$160,000,000

Debt_NonRecourse_Debt_Narrativ

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrative (Details) (Nonrecourse Debt [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Gener Subsidiary [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	$700,000,000
Repayments of debt	853,000,000
IPL Subsidiary [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	130,000,000
Tiete Subsidiary [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	129,000,000
Repayments of debt	132,000,000
Alto Maipo [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	103,000,000
Construction Loans [Member] | Mong Duong Subsidiary [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	272,000,000
Construction Loans [Member] | Cochrane Subsidiary [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Issued new debt	$125,000,000

Debt_Subsidiary_Nonrecourse_De

Debt - Subsidiary Non-recourse Debt in Default or Accelerated (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'
Debt Default Amount	$1,010
Maritza [Member]	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'
Net Assets	572
Kavarna [Member]	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'
Net Assets	88
Covenant Violation [Member] | Maritza [Member]	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'
Debt Default Amount	815
Covenant Violation [Member] | Kavarna [Member]	'
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]	'
Debt Default Amount	$195

Debt_Interest_Expense_Details

Debt Interest Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Expense, Debt	($48)	($34)

Contingencies_and_Commitments_1

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
	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 20 years
Lower limit of expiration dates of guarantees (less than one year)	'1 year
Upper limit of expiration dates of guarantees (more than 20 years)	'19 years
Obligations made by the Parent Company associated with non-recourse debt	$24
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	723
Number of Agreements	34
Guarantees and commitments	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	333
Number of Agreements	16
Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement	'
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1)	1
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	53
Asset sale related indemnities	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	287
Number of Agreements	5
Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement	'$2 - 209
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1)	2
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	209
Cash collateralized letters of credit	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	102
Number of Agreements	11
Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement	'
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1)	1
Maximum exposure range, upper limit	63
Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Amount	1
Number of Agreements	2
Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement	'<$1
Maximum exposure range, lower limit (less than $1)	$1
Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility | Minimum [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Letter of credit fee percentage paid	0.20%
Letters of credit under the senior secured credit facility | Maximum [Member]	'
Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]	'
Letter of credit fee percentage paid	2.50%

Contingencies_and_Commitments_2

Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Environmental [Member]	'	'
Environmental Contingencies	'	'
Liability recorded for projected environmental remediation costs	$17	'
Litigation Contingencies	'	'
Minimum potential loss	1	'
Maximum potential loss	3	'
Litigation [Member]	'	'
Litigation Contingencies	'	'
Minimum potential loss	1,200	'
Maximum potential loss	1,800	'
Aggregate reserves for claims deemed both probable and reasonably estimable	$238	$239

Pension_Plans_Details

Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$4	$4	$7	$8
Interest cost	12	11	24	22
Expected return on plan assets	-16	-16	-32	-31
Amortization of prior service cost	1	2	3	3
Amortization of net loss	3	7	6	14
Total pension cost	4	8	8	16
Defined Benefit Pension Contributions Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Pension employer contributions	'	'	55	'
Pension estimated future employer contributions remainder of fiscal year	1	'	1	'
Foreign [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'	'
Service cost	4	6	8	13
Interest cost	129	134	251	273
Expected return on plan assets	-96	-127	-186	-257
Amortization of prior service cost	1	0	2	0
Amortization of net loss	9	22	17	42
Total pension cost	47	35	92	71
Defined Benefit Pension Contributions Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Pension employer contributions	'	'	80	'
Pension estimated future employer contributions remainder of fiscal year	$58	'	$58	'

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	$7,651	$7,514
Net income	275	333	341	532
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	-29	-182	-18	-217
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	-92	163	-193	171
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	25	13	31	27
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	113	55
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-215	-226
Disposition of businesses	'	'	-151	-21
Acquisition of treasury stock	'	'	-32	-18
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	'	'	16	24
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.05 per share)	'	'	-36	-60
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	33
Transaction between entities under common control	'	'	7	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-6	-7
Ending Balance	7,508	7,807	7,508	7,807
Unrealized Derivative Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized derivative losses, beginning balance	'	'	-307	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	-116	'
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	17	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	-99	'
Unrealized derivative losses, ending balance	-406	'	-406	'
Unfunded PensionObligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Unfunded pension obligation, beginning balance	'	'	-291	'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	'	'	9	'
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	5	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	14	'
Unfunded pension obligation, ending balance	-277	'	-277	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, beginning balance	'	'	-2,284	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassification	'	'	-9	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	-47	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	-56	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, ending balance	-2,340	'	-2,340	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning balance	'	'	-2,882	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	-116	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	-25	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	-141	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, ending balance	-3,023	'	-3,023	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	4,330	4,569
Net income	'	'	75	249
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	'	'	-56	-148
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	'	'	-99	123
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	'	'	14	6
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	0
Disposition of businesses	'	'	0	-1
Acquisition of treasury stock	'	'	-32	-18
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax	'	'	16	24
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.05 per share)	'	'	-36	-60
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	11
Transaction between entities under common control	'	'	5	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	-6	-6
Ending Balance	4,211	4,749	4,211	4,749
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	3,321	2,945
Net income	'	'	266	283
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	'	'	38	-69
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	'	'	-94	48
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	'	'	17	21
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	'	'	113	55
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	'	'	-215	-226
Disposition of businesses	'	'	-151	-20
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 ($0.05 per share)	'	'	0	0
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	22
Transaction between entities under common control	'	'	2	0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	'	'	0	-1
Ending Balance	$3,297	$3,058	$3,297	$3,058

Equity_Reclassifications_Out_o

Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Non-regulated revenue	$2,195		$1,971		$4,315	$3,982
Regulated cost of sales	-1,844		-1,632		-3,776	-3,419
Non-regulated cost of sales	-1,648		-1,412		-3,184	-3,026
Interest expense	-323		-337		-696	-707
Gain on sale of investments	0		20		1	23
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	7		-18		-12	-48
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	418		407		536	717
Income tax expense	-157		-76		-211	-159
Other income	-33		-13		-44	-81
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	20		2		45	6
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	281		333		370	564
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	-13		3	[1]	-56	-33
Net income	275		333		341	532
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-139		-166		-275	-285
Interest income	-73		-63		-136	-128
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	133		167		75	249
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	52	[2]	-93	[2]	25	-115
Unrealized Derivative Losses, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Non-regulated revenue	6	[2]	-1	[2]	19	-1
Non-regulated cost of sales	-3	[2]	-1	[2]	-2	-2
Interest expense	-31	[2]	-34	[2]	-63	-69
Gain on sale of investments	0		-21		0	-21
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	7	[2]	-17	[2]	4	-10
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	-21	[2]	-74	[2]	-42	-103
Income tax expense	10	[2]	15	[2]	13	22
Net equity in earnings of affiliates	-2	[2]	-2	[2]	-3	-4
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	-13	[2]	-61	[2]	-32	-85
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	15	[2]	11	[2]	15	13
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	2	[2]	-50	[2]	-17	-72
Amortization Of Defined Benefit Pension Actuarial Loss, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Regulated cost of sales	-9	[2]	-19	[2]	-17	-39
Non-regulated cost of sales	1	[2]	-1	[2]	0	-2
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	-8	[2]	-20	[2]	-17	-41
Income tax expense	-2	[2]	7	[2]	1	14
Other income	-2	[2]	0	[2]	-2	0
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	-12	[2]	-13	[2]	-18	-27
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	2		0		2	0
Net income	-10		-13		-16	-27
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	7	[2]	10	[2]	11	21
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	-3		-3		-5	-6
Available-For-Sale Securities, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Interest income	0		-1		0	-1
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	0		-1		0	-1
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'	'
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Gain on sale of investments	0	[2]	-4	[2]	0	-1
Net loss from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses	53	[2]	-35	[2]	47	-35
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$53	[2]	($39)	[2]	$47	($36)
[1]	Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.
[2]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Equity_Equity_Transactions_wit

Equity Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified				Masinloc [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
						MW	Masinloc [Member]	International Finance Corporation [Member]	Electricity Generating Public Company Limited [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment In Affiliate Ownership Percentage Sold	'	45.00%	'	45.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Divestiture of Business, Purchase Purchase Subject Adjustment	'	$453	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds received from sale of businesses	'	'	'	'	453	'	'	'	'
Reporting Unit, Amount of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	'	'	'	'	'	300	'	'	'
Divestiture of Businesses, Portion Contingent Upon Achievement of Certain Restructuring Efficiencies	'	'	'	'	'	23	'	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	$1,000	'	$1,010	'	'	'	'	'	'
Public Utilities, Divestiture of Business, Direct Stake of Coal Fired Power Plant Expansion Project	'	'	'	'	'	630	'	'	'
Public Utilities, Divestiture of Business, Potential Energy Storage Projects in Advanced Development	'	'	'	'	'	60	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	'	'	'	'	'	'	51.00%	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8.00%	41.00%

Equity_Stock_Repurchase_Progra

Equity Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	48 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	49 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014	Aug. 06, 2014
				2010 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	2010 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
						2010 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	2010 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	91,126,094	'	90,808,168	'	'	'	'
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	'	'	2,305,713	86,317,944	1,065,700	87,383,644
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	$32	$18	'	$32	$1,000	$15.60	$1,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	'	'	'	$159	'	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	'	'	'	'	$11.98	'	$12.01

Segments_Details

Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
					segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Number of strategic business units	'		'		6		'		'
Number of reportable segments	'		'		6		'		'
Reconciliation To Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes	'		'		'		'		'
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	$418		$407		$536		$717		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	39,433		'		39,433		'		40,411
External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	4,311		3,945		8,573		8,095		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	340	[1]	289	[1]	583	[1]	559	[1]	'
Reconciliation To Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes	'		'		'		'		'
Unrealized derivative gains (losses)	22		53		32		39		'
Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)	-7		-23		-33		-49		'
Disposition/acquisition gains (losses)	-2		23		-1		26		'
Impairment losses	-99		0		-265		-48		'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	-13		-164		-147		-207		'
Pretax contribution	241		178		169		320		'
Add: income from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests	197		231		412		403		'
Less: Net equity in earnings of affiliates	20		2		45		6		'
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	418		407		536		717		'
Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	4,315		3,947		8,580		8,098		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	340	[1]	289	[1]	583	[1]	559	[1]	'
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-4		-2		-7		-3		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	'
US - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	9,835		'		9,835		'		9,952
US - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	893		858		1,894		1,744		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	83	[1]	66	[1]	161	[1]	201	[1]	'
US - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	893		858		1,894		1,744		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	80	[1]	63	[1]	155	[1]	196	[1]	'
US - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	3	[1]	3	[1]	6	[1]	5	[1]	'
Andes - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	7,458		'		7,458		'		7,356
Andes - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	723		725		1,343		1,415		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	105	[1]	92	[1]	161	[1]	176	[1]	'
Andes - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	724		725		1,344		1,415		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	104	[1]	88	[1]	157	[1]	169	[1]	'
Andes - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-1		0		-1		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	1	[1]	4	[1]	4	[1]	7	[1]	'
Brazil - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	9,144		'		9,144		'		8,388
Brazil - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	1,533		1,230		2,978		2,659		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	115	[1]	78	[1]	185	[1]	121	[1]	'
Brazil - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	1,533		1,230		2,978		2,659		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	115	[1]	78	[1]	184	[1]	120	[1]	'
Brazil - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	0	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	'
MCAC - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	5,060		'		5,060		'		5,075
MCAC - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	692		694		1,329		1,363		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	105	[1]	108	[1]	174	[1]	167	[1]	'
MCAC - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	692		694		1,330		1,363		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	95	[1]	104	[1]	160	[1]	160	[1]	'
MCAC - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		-1		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	10	[1]	4	[1]	14	[1]	7	[1]	'
EMEA - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	4,240		'		4,240		'		4,191
EMEA - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	305		295		696		638		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	76	[1]	74	[1]	194	[1]	173	[1]	'
EMEA - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	305		295		696		638		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	73	[1]	72	[1]	188	[1]	168	[1]	'
EMEA - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	3	[1]	2	[1]	6	[1]	5	[1]	'
Asia - Generation [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	2,953		'		2,953		'		2,810
Asia - Generation [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	163		142		331		275		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	23	[1]	40	[1]	32	[1]	72	[1]	'
Asia - Generation [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	163		142		331		275		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	23	[1]	40	[1]	31	[1]	71	[1]	'
Asia - Generation [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	0		0		0		0		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	0	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	'
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	743		'		743		'		921
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | External [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	2		1		2		1		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	-167	[1]	-169	[1]	-324	[1]	-351	[1]	'
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	5		3		7		4		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	-150	[1]	-156	[1]	-292	[1]	-325	[1]	'
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenue	'		'		'		'		'
Total Revenue	-3		-2		-5		-3		'
Adjusted PTC	'		'		'		'		'
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	-17	[1]	-13	[1]	-32	[1]	-26	[1]	'
Discontinued Operations [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	'		'		'		'		'
Total Assets	$0		'		$0		'		$1,718
[1]	Adjusted pretax 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				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Contract termination (Beaver Valley)	$0		$0		$0		$60
Contingency reversal (Kazakhstan)	18	[1]	0	[1]	18	[1]	0	[1]
Gain on sale of assets	8		4		10		5
Other	7		9		16		16
Total other income	$33		$13		$44		$81
[1]	Reversal of a liability in Kazakhstan from the expiration of a statute of limitations for the Republic of Kazakhstan to claim payment from AES.

Other_Income_and_Expense_Other1

Other Income and Expense - Other Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Loss on sale and disposal of assets	$12	$10	$19	$25
Contract termination	0	0	0	7
Other	5	7	6	11
Total other expense	$17	$17	$25	$43

Goodwill_Impairment_Details

Goodwill Impairment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
					DPLER [Member]	DPLER [Member]	Buffalo Gap [Member]
							MW
							project
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	$136,000,000	'
Goodwill implied fair value	'	'	'	'	'	0	'
Goodwill impairment expense	$0	$0	$154,000,000	$0	$0	$136,000,000	$18,000,000
Number of wind projects	'	'	'	'	'	'	3
Generation capacity mega watts	'	'	'	'	'	'	524

Asset_Impairment_Expense_Detai

Asset Impairment Expense (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 09, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	MW
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	$63,000,000	$0	$75,000,000	$48,000,000
Beaver Valley [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	0	0	0	46,000,000
Generation capacity mega watts	125	'	'	'	'
Lump sum payment received for termination of PPA	60,000,000	'	'	'	'
East Bend DPL [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	0	0	12,000,000	0
Generation capacity mega watts	'	186	'	186	'
Assets, fair value	'	2,000,000	'	2,000,000	'
Ebute [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	52,000,000	0	52,000,000	0
Assets, fair value	'	47,000,000	'	47,000,000	'
UK Wind (Newfield) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	11,000,000	0	11,000,000	0
Assets, fair value	'	0	'	0	'
Other Impairment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	$0	$0	$0	$2,000,000

Other_NonOperating_Expense_Det

Other Non-Operating Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total other non-operating expense	$44	$0	$44	$0
Silver Ridge Power [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total other non-operating expense	$44	$0	$44	$0

Other_NonOperating_Expense_Sil

Other Non-Operating Expense Silver Ridge (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 16, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 02, 2014	Jun. 16, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	Silver Ridge Power [Member]	Silver Ridge Power [Member]	Silver Ridge Power [Member]	Silver Ridge - Italy [Member]	Silver Ridge - Italy [Member]
			Subsequent Event [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	50.00%	'	'	50.00%
Equity Method Investment, Purchase Price Agreement	$165	'	'	$42	'
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	'	44	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Sold	'	50.00%	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Net Sales Proceeds	'	'	$179	'	'

Recovered_Sheet1

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

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

7 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 24, 2014

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sonel [Member]

Kribi [Member]

Dibamba [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Saurashtra [Member]

Saurashtra [Member]

US Wind Projects [Member]

US Wind Projects [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Cameroon [Member]

Armenia Mountain [Member]

Noncurrent Asset [Member]

MW

project

business

business

MW

Cameroon [Member]

MW

Discontinued Operations Income Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue

$104,000,000

$164,000,000

[1]

$233,000,000

$426,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from operations of discontinued businesses, before income tax

15,000,000

4,000,000

[1]

49,000,000

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax expense

-8,000,000

-7,000,000

[1]

-22,000,000

-5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, after income tax

7,000,000

-3,000,000

[1]

27,000,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale of ownership in subsidiary percent

'

'

'

'

56.00%

56.00%

56.00%

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Number of Equity Interests Sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

3

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Net Sales Proceeds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

202,000,000

'

'

40,000,000

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Non-contingent Consideration, Fair Value, Amount to be Received

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

Letter of Credit Related to Sale Agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

40,000,000

'

'

Net proceeds received from sale of businesses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

27,000,000

'

162,000,000

'

'

'

Impairment expenses

'

'

273,000,000

48,000,000

'

'

'

101,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

435,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value less costs to sell

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

334,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

-13,000,000

3,000,000

[1]

-56,000,000

-33,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,000,000

'

'

Generation capacity mega watts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39

'

234

'

'

101

'

Number of wind projects

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

Buyer option to purchase ownership percent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

Buyer option to purchase ownership interest, sales price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

Deferred proceeds from divestiture of businesses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Includes the results of operations of our Ukraine utility businesses, which were sold in April 2013.

Dispositions_Details

Dispositions (Details) (AES Cartagena [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 26, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	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%	'	'	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		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$142	$167	$95	$279
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	725	747	725	746
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$0.20	$0.22	$0.13	$0.37
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES	'	'	'	'
Stock options (Shares)	1	0	1	1
Restricted stock units (Shares)	2	4	2	3
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Income)	$142	$167	$95	$279
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Shares)	728	751	728	750
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$0.20	$0.22	$0.13	$0.37
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued under the Company's profit sharing plan	'	'	1	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	5	7
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	'	'	2	1
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

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Recourse Debt [Member]
						Subsequent Event [Member]
						notice
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared on common stock (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.08	$0.05	$0.08	$0.05	'
Debt Instrument, Number of Notices Issued to Call Debt	'	'	'	'	'	2
Debt Instrument, Notice Call to Retire Notes	'	'	'	'	'	$320,000,000