The AES Corporation (AES) 10-Q 4 Aug 21 2021 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Aug. 02, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
City Area Code	(703)
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	4300 Wilson Boulevard
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-1163725
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2021
Entity File Number	1-12291
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	THE AES CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000874761
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	22203
Entity Address, City or Town	Arlington,
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Local Phone Number	522-1315
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Subsequent Event [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		666,359,739
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	AES
Entity Listing, Description	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
corporate units
Document Information [Line Items]
Trading Symbol	AESC
Entity Listing, Description	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Corporate Units

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,213	$ 1,089
Restricted cash	404	297
Short-term investments	282	335
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10 and $13, respectively	1,374	1,300
Inventory	445	461
Prepaid expenses	114	102
Other current assets, net of allowance of $0	868	726
Current held-for-sale assets	830	1,104
Total current assets	5,530	5,414
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Land	415	417
Electric generation, distribution assets and other	24,786	26,707
Accumulated depreciation	(7,970)	(8,472)
Construction in progress	5,351	4,174
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,582	22,826
Other Assets:
Investments in and advances to affiliates	793	835
Debt service reserves and other deposits	409	441
Goodwill	1,110	1,061
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $365 and $330, respectively	900	827
Deferred income taxes	300	288
Other noncurrent assets, net of allowance of $21 and $21, respectively	1,892	1,660
Noncurrent assets of held-for-sale businesses	1,211	1,251
Total other assets	6,615	6,363
TOTAL ASSETS	34,727	34,603
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	948	1,156
Accrued interest	199	191
Accrued non-income taxes	207	257
Deferred Income	139	438
Accrued and other liabilities	927	1,223
Non Recourse Debt Current	1,345	1,430
Current held-for-sale liabilities	572	667
Total current liabilities	4,337	5,362
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Recourse debt	3,374	3,446
Non Recourse Debt Non Current	15,290	15,005
Deferred income taxes	1,121	1,100
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,259	3,241
Noncurrent held-for-sale liabilities	800	857
Total noncurrent liabilities	23,844	23,649
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount	1,149	872
THE AES CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	1,043	0
Common Stock, Value, Issued	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	7,211	7,561
Accumulated deficit	(800)	(680)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,347)	(2,397)
Treasury Stock, Value	(1,850)	(1,858)
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity	3,265	2,634
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2,132	2,086
Total equity	5,397	4,720
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 34,727	$ 34,603

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 10	$ 13
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,043,050
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10 and $13, respectively	$ 10	$ 13
Other Current Assets, Allowance	0
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $365 and $330, respectively	365	330
Other Noncurrent Assets, Allowance	$ 21	$ 21
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	818,662,357	818,398,654
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	666,329,509	665,370,128
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	152,332,848	153,028,526
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non Recourse Debt Current	$ 1,345	$ 1,430
Non-recourse debt, including $3,953 and $3,918, respectively, related to variable interest entities	15,290	15,005
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Non Recourse Debt Current	337	336
Non-recourse debt, including $3,953 and $3,918, respectively, related to variable interest entities	$ 3,953	$ 3,918

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Total Revenue	$ 2,700	$ 2,217	$ 5,335	$ 4,555
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(1,972)	(1,693)	(3,943)	(3,524)
Operating margin	728	524	1,392	1,031
General and administrative expenses	(45)	(40)	(91)	(78)
Interest expense	(237)	(218)	(427)	(451)
Interest income	73	64	141	134
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(18)	(40)	(19)	(41)
Other expense	(4)	(3)	(20)	(7)
Other income	183	9	226	54
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	64	(27)	59	(27)
Asset impairment expense	(872)	0	(1,345)	(6)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(2)	(6)	(37)	(18)
Other non-operating expense	0	(158)	0	(202)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(130)	105	(121)	425
Income tax benefit (expense)	59	(113)	51	(202)
Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(10)	8	(40)	6
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(81)	0	(110)	229
Gain from disposal of discontinued businesses	4	3	4	3
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(77)	3	(106)	232
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	105	(86)	(14)	(171)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ 28	$ (83)	$ (120)	$ 61
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.03	$ (0.13)	$ (0.19)	$ 0.09
Income from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 24	$ (86)	$ (124)	$ 58
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 4	$ 3	$ 4	$ 3
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	$ 0.03	$ (0.13)	$ (0.19)	$ 0.09
Income from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax	0.01	0.01	0.01	0
Earnings Per Share, Basic	0.04	(0.12)	(0.18)	0.09
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.04	$ (0.12)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.09
DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	670	665	666	668
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 0.04	$ (0.12)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.09
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 0.04	$ (0.12)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.09
DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING	670	665	666	668
Electric Transmission [Member]
Total Revenue	$ 672	$ 624	$ 1,379	$ 1,336
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	(580)	(535)	(1,162)	(1,127)
Electricity, Generation [Member]
Total Revenue	2,028	1,593	3,956	3,219
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	$ (1,392)	$ (1,158)	$ (2,781)	$ (2,397)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (77)	$ 3	$ (106)	$ 232
Foreign currency translation activity:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 income tax for all periods	38	17	(31)	(135)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	3	(2)	3	(2)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	41	15	(28)	(137)
Derivative activity:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(175)	(99)	68	(547)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	26	78	49	110
Total change in fair value of derivatives	(149)	(21)	117	(437)
Pension activity:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax	(1)	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax	1	0	1	0
Total pension adjustments	0	0	1	0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	(108)	(6)	90	(574)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(185)	(3)	(16)	(342)
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	104	(81)	(47)	(60)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (81)	$ (84)	$ (63)	$ (402)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
OCI, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), Arising During Period, Tax	0	0	0	0
Change in derivative fair value, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $48, $33, $(19), and $166, respectively	48	33	(19)	166
Reclassification to earnings, net of income tax expense of $6, $25, $13, and $33, respectively	(6)	(25)	(13)	(33)
Change in pension adjustments due to net actuarial gain (loss) for the period, income tax (expense) benefit	(1)	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	(77)	3	(106)	232
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of $0 income tax for all periods	38	17	(31)	(135)
Reclassification to earnings, net of $0 income tax for all periods	3	(2)	3	(2)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	41	15	(28)	(137)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(175)	(99)	68	(547)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	26	78	49	110
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	(149)	(21)	117	(437)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax	(1)	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax	1	0	1	0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax	0	0	1	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(108)	(6)	90	(574)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(185)	(3)	(16)	(342)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	104	(81)	(47)	(60)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	(81)	(84)	(63)	(402)
Pension, Reclassifications to Earnings, Net of Income Tax (expense) benefit	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (106)	$ 232
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	538	539
Loss (gain) on disposal and sale of business interests	(59)	27
Impairment expense	1,345	208
Deferred income taxes	(73)	54
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19	41
Loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	20	(40)
Gain on remeasurement to acquisition date fair value	(212)	0
Loss of affiliates, net of dividends	46	2
Other	263	23
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(120)	(30)
(Increase) decrease in inventory	7	(46)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(13)	33
(Increase) decrease in other assets	8	(75)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities	(292)	(81)
Increase (decrease) in income tax payables, net and other tax payables	(439)	(67)
Increase (decrease) in deferred income	(307)	39
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(21)	(39)
Net cash provided by operating activities	604	820
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(999)	(962)
Acquisitions of business interests, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	(81)	(84)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates	58	44
Sale of short-term investments	316	341
Purchase of short-term investments	(258)	(463)
Contributions and loans to equity affiliates	(173)	(178)
Other investing	(8)	(59)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,145)	(1,361)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities	998	1,318
Repayments under the revolving credit facilities	(932)	(958)
Issuance of recourse debt	7	1,597
Repayments of recourse debt	(7)	(1,596)
Issuance of non-recourse debt	700	1,913
Repayments of non-recourse debt	(939)	(763)
Payments for financing fees	(12)	(46)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(129)	(99)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(17)	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	95	0
Issuance of Preferred Shares in Subsidiaries	151	0
Issuance of preferred stock	1,015	0
Dividends paid on AES common stock	(200)	(190)
Payments for financed capital expenditures	(4)	(39)
Other financing	(44)	21
Net cash provided by financing activities	682	1,158
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4)	(37)
Net Cash Change Of Discontinued And Held For Sale Businesses	62	(45)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	199	535
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning	1,827	1,572
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, ending	2,026	2,107
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized	406	458
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds	372	176
SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Non-cash consideration transferred for the Clean Energy transaction (see Note 18)	$ 99	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Millions		Total	Common Stock [Member]		Treasury Stock, Common [Member]		Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]		Retained Earnings [Member]		AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]		Noncontrolling Interest [Member]		Preferred Stock	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Common Stock [Member]		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Treasury Stock, Common [Member]		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Retained Earnings [Member]		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]		Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	[2]	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]Preferred Stock
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			817,800,000		153,900,000										0
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019			$ 8		$ (1,867)		$ 7,776		$ (692)		$ (2,229)		$ 2,233		$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)			0		0		0		144		0		82		0
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax			0		0		0		0		(96)		(56)		0
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax			0		0		0		0		(366)		(25)		0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)											(462)		(81)
Fair Value Adjustment			0	[1]	0	[1]	(7)	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			0		0		0		0		0		(33)		0
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			0		0		2		0		(1)		(8)		0
Sales to noncontrolling interests			0		0		(1)		0		0		1		0
Dividends declared on common stock			$ 0		$ 0		(95)		0		0		0		$ 0
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans (Shares)			100,000		(800,000)										0
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax			$ 0		$ 9		11		0		0		0		$ 0
Ending Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			817,900,000		153,100,000										0
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020			$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,664		(583)		(2,692)		2,178		$ 0											$ (16)
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			817,800,000		153,900,000										0
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019			$ 8		$ (1,867)		7,776		(692)		(2,229)		2,233		$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		$ 232
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(137)
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		(437)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		(574)
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2020			817,900,000		153,000,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020			$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,670		(665)		(2,693)		2,180													0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent																$ 0	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ (35)	[2]	$ 0	[2]			$ 0
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			817,900,000		153,100,000										0
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2020			$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,664		(583)		(2,692)		2,178		$ 0											(16)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		3	0		0		0		(83)		0		83
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		15	0		0		0		0		17		(2)
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		(21)	0		0		0		0		(18)		(2)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		$ (6)									(1)		(4)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			0		0		0		0		0		(89)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests							3		0		0		(2)
Sales to noncontrolling interests			$ 0		$ 0		(2)		0		0		14
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans (Shares)			0		(100,000)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax			$ 0		$ 0		5		0		0		0
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.1433
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2020			817,900,000		153,000,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020			$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,670		(665)		(2,693)		2,180													$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	[2]															$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 1		$ 0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		$ 2,634
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued		0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		(680)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]		4
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent | Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]		39
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			818,400,000		153,000,000										0
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020		4,720	$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,561		(680)		(2,397)		2,086		$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)							0		(148)		0		119
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax							0		0		(53)		(16)
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax							0		0		219		27
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax							0		0		0		1
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)											166		12
Fair Value Adjustment	[3]						33		0		0		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							0		0		0		(17)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests							(5)		0		(6)		(3)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests							0		0		0		94
Dividends declared on common stock							(101)		0		0		0
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans (Shares)			200,000		(700,000)
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax			$ 0		$ 8		12		0		0		0
Ending Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			818,600,000		152,300,000										1,000,000
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2021			$ 8		$ (1,850)		7,241		(828)		(2,237)		2,291		$ 1,043
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			818,400,000		153,000,000										0
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020		4,720	$ 8		$ (1,858)		7,561		(680)		(2,397)		2,086		$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(106)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		(28)
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		117
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		1
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		90
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2021			818,700,000		152,300,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2021		5,397	$ 8		$ (1,850)		7,211		(800)		(2,347)		2,132
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued															1,000,000
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued															$ 1,043
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock							(235)		0		0		0
Beginning Balance (Shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			818,600,000		152,300,000										1,000,000
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2021			$ 8		$ (1,850)		7,241		(828)		(2,237)		2,291		$ 1,043
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)		(77)	0		0		0		28		0		(103)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax		41					0		0		30		11
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax		(149)					0		0		(140)		(9)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax		0					0		0		1		(1)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		$ (108)									(109)		1
Fair Value Adjustment							(36)		0		0		0
Disposition of business interests													(109)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests							0		0		0		(117)
Acquisition of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			$ 0		$ 0		(2)		0		(1)		0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests							0		0		0		1
Sales to noncontrolling interests							0		0		0		17
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued													151
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans (Shares)			100,000
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation benefit plans, net of income tax							7		0		0		0
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.1505
Ending Balance (Shares) at Jun. 30, 2021			818,700,000		152,300,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2021		$ 5,397	$ 8		$ (1,850)		7,211		$ (800)		$ (2,347)		$ 2,132
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		$ 3,265
Additional Paid in Capital, Preferred Stock							$ 1
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued		1,043,050
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued		$ 1,043
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent		$ (800)
[1]	Adjustment to record the redeemable stock of Colon at fair value
[2]	See Note 1 —Financial Statement Presentation—New Accounting Pronouncements in Item 8. —Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of our 2020 Form 10-K for further information.
[3]	Adjustment to record the redeemable stock of Colon at fair value. (2) See Note 17— Held-For-Sale and Dispositions for further information. See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Statement Presentatio

Financial Statement Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION 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” or “the Parent Company” refer only to the publicly held holding company, The AES Corporation, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates. Furthermore, 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 GAAP, as contained in the FASB ASC, for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by 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, changes in equity, and cash flows. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the year ending December 31, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the 2020 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the 2020 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash — The following table provides a summary of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that reconcile to the total of such amounts as shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,213 $ 1,089 Restricted cash 404 297 Debt service reserves and other deposits 409 441 Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 2,026 $ 1,827 ASC 326 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - The following table represents the rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for the period indicated (in millions): Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Accounts Receivables (1) Mong Duong Loan Receivable (2) Argentina Receivables Other Total CECL reserve balance at beginning of period $ 9 $ 32 $ 20 $ 1 $ 62 Current period provision 1 — 3 — 4 Write-offs charged against allowance (6) — — — (6) Recoveries collected 1 (1) — — — Foreign exchange — — (3) — (3) CECL reserve balance at end of period $ 5 $ 31 $ 20 $ 1 $ 57 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Accounts Receivables (1) Mong Duong Loan Receivable (2) Argentina Receivables Other Total CECL reserve balance at beginning of period $ 4 $ 34 $ 29 $ 1 $ 68 Current period provision 10 — 2 — 12 Write-offs charged against allowance (7) — — — (7) Recoveries collected 5 (1) (1) 3 Foreign exchange — — (4) — (4) CECL reserve balance at end of period $ 12 $ 33 $ 26 $ 1 $ 72 (1) Excludes operating lease receivable allowances and contractual dispute allowances of $4 million and $6 million as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. Those reserves are not in scope under ASC 326. (2) Mong Duong Loan Receivable credit losses allowance was reclassified to held-for-sale assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2021. New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2021 — The Company assessed and determined that the new accounting pronouncements adopted did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Effective — The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements once adopted. Accounting pronouncements not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective ASU Number and Name Description Date of Adoption Effect on the financial statements upon adoption 2021-05, Leases (Topic 842), Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments The amendments in this update affect lessors with lease contracts that (1) have variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate and (2) would have resulted in the recognition of a selling loss at lease commencement if classified as sales-type or direct financing. Lessors should classify and account for a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate as an operating lease if both of the following criteria are met: (a) The lease would have been classified as a sales-type lease or a direct financing lease in accordance with the classification criteria in paragraphs 842-10-25-2 through 25-3, (b) The lessor would have otherwise recognized a day-one loss. This update could be applied either (1) retrospectively to leases that commenced or were modified on or after the adoption of Update 2016-02 or (2) prospectively to leases that commence or are modified on or after the date that an entity first applies the amendments. Earlier application is permitted. For fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Equity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Equity’s Own Equity The amendments in this update affect entities that issue convertible instruments and/or contracts indexed to and potentially settled in an entity’s own equity. The new ASU eliminates the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models for convertible instruments. It also amends the accounting for certain contracts in an entity’s own equity that are currently accounted for as derivatives because of specific settlement provisions. In addition, the new guidance modifies how particular convertible instruments and certain contracts that may be settled in cash or shares impact the diluted EPS computation. For fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. 2020-04 and 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting The amendments in these updates provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference to LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued by reference rate reform, and clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. These amendments are effective for a limited period of time (March 12, 2020 - December 31, 2022). Effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Inventory

Inventory	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORY	INVENTORY The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of the periods indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fuel and other raw materials $ 228 $ 223 Spare parts and supplies 217 238 Total $ 445 $ 461

Fair Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
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 values of the Company’s assets and liabilities have been determined using available market information. Because these amounts are 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. For further information on our valuation techniques and policies, see Note 5— Fair Value in Item 8.— Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of our 2020 Form 10-K. Recurring Measurements The following table presents, 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 dates indicated (in millions). For the Company’s investments in marketable debt securities, the security classes presented were determined based on the nature and risk of the security and are consistent with how the Company manages, monitors, and measures its marketable securities: June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets DEBT SECURITIES: Available-for-sale: Unsecured debentures $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 21 $ — $ 21 Certificates of deposit — 247 — 247 — 238 — 238 Total debt securities — 247 — 247 — 259 — 259 EQUITY SECURITIES: Mutual funds 30 12 — 42 28 51 — 79 Total equity securities 30 12 — 42 28 51 — 79 DERIVATIVES: Interest rate derivatives — 47 1 48 — 13 — 13 Cross-currency derivatives — 6 — 6 — 5 — 5 Foreign currency derivatives — 19 97 116 — 15 146 161 Commodity derivatives — 72 15 87 — 8 2 10 Total derivatives — assets — 144 113 257 — 41 148 189 TOTAL ASSETS $ 30 $ 403 $ 113 $ 546 $ 28 $ 351 $ 148 $ 527 Liabilities DERIVATIVES: Interest rate derivatives $ — $ 280 $ 193 $ 473 $ — $ 374 $ 236 $ 610 Cross-currency derivatives — 2 32 34 — 2 2 4 Foreign currency derivatives — 28 — 28 — 43 — 43 Commodity derivatives — 103 — 103 — 22 — 22 Total derivatives — liabilities — 413 225 638 — 441 238 679 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ — $ 413 $ 225 $ 638 $ — $ 441 $ 238 $ 679 As of June 30, 2021, all available-for-sale debt securities had stated maturities within one year. There were no other-than-temporary impairments of marketable securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Credit-related impairments are recognized in earnings under ASC 326. Gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using the specific-identification method. The following table presents gross proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities during the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Gross proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities $ 55 $ 55 $ 300 $ 313 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, 2021 and 2020 (presented net by type of derivative in millions). Transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 principally result from changes in the significance of unobservable inputs used to calculate the credit valuation adjustment. Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at April 1 $ (166) $ (3) $ 98 $ 1 $ (70) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings (1) (32) 6 — (27) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (16) — 1 12 (3) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 3 3 Settlements 11 3 (8) — 6 Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (20) — — — (20) Transfers of (assets)/liabilities, net out of Level 3 — — — (1) (1) Balance at June 30 $ (192) $ (32) $ 97 $ 15 $ (112) Total gains 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) $ — $ (4) $ — $ (5) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at April 1 $ (269) $ (29) $ 99 $ — $ (199) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings — — (7) — (7) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (21) 5 (7) — (23) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 1 1 Settlements 10 1 (9) — 2 Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (6) — — — (6) Balance at June 30 $ (286) $ (23) $ 76 $ 1 $ (232) Total gains 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 $ — $ — $ (16) $ — $ (16) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at January 1 $ (236) $ (2) $ 146 $ 2 $ (90) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings 1 (33) (23) — (55) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity 19 — (8) 12 23 Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 3 3 Settlements 24 3 (18) (1) 8 Transfers of (assets) liabilities, net out of Level 3 — — — (1) (1) Balance at June 30 $ (192) $ (32) $ 97 $ 15 $ (112) 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 $ — $ (44) $ — $ (43) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at January 1 $ (184) $ (11) $ 94 $ (1) $ (102) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings 2 — 2 1 5 Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (71) (14) 1 — (84) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 2 2 Settlements 10 2 (21) (1) (10) Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (43) — — — (43) Balance at June 30 $ (286) $ (23) $ 76 $ 1 $ (232) 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 $ (12) The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of June 30, 2021 (in millions, except range amounts): Type of Derivative Fair Value Unobservable Input Amount or Range (Weighted Average) Interest rate $ (192) Subsidiaries’ credit spreads 0.6% - 3.4% (3.4%) Cross-currency (32) Subsidiaries’ credit spreads 3.6 % Foreign currency: Argentine peso 97 Argentine peso to U.S. dollar currency exchange rate after one year 97 - 551 (256) Commodity: Other 15 Total $ (112) For interest rate derivatives and foreign currency derivatives, increases (decreases) in the estimates of the Company’s own credit spreads would decrease (increase) the value of the derivatives in a liability position. For foreign currency derivatives, increases (decreases) in the estimate of the above exchange rate would increase (decrease) the value of the derivative. Nonrecurring Measurements The Company measures fair value using the applicable fair value measurement guidance. Impairment expense, shown as pre-tax loss below, is measured by comparing the fair value at the evaluation date to the then-latest available carrying amount and is included in Asset impairment expense or Other non-operating expense, as applicable , on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes our major categories of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in millions): Measurement Date Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Pre-tax Loss Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-lived assets held and used Puerto Rico 03/31/2021 $ 548 $ — $ — $ 73 $ 475 Mountain View I & II 04/30/2021 78 — — 11 67 Ventanas 06/30/2021 661 — — 12 649 Angamos 06/30/2021 241 — — 86 155 Measurement Date Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Pre-tax Loss Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Equity method investments: OPGC (2) 3/31/2020 $ 195 $ — $ — $ 152 $ 43 OPGC (3) 6/30/2020 $ 272 $ — $ 104 $ — $ 158 _____________________________ (1) Represents the carrying values at the dates of measurement, before fair value adjustment. (2) Excludes $115 million of cumulative translation adjustment (debit balance) in the carrying value. (3) Includes $114 million of cumulative translation adjustment (debit balance) in the carrying value. Pre-tax loss is limited to the carrying value of the equity method investment excluding CTA. The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets held and used measured on a nonrecurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in millions, except range amounts): Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average) Long-lived assets held and used: Puerto Rico $ 73 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (80)% to 8% Annual variable margin 37% to 97% Weighted-average cost of capital 18.2% Mountain View I & II 11 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (69)% to 54% (-0.02%) Annual variable margin (10)% to 56% (45.99%) Weighted-average cost of capital 7.5% Ventanas 12 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (18)% to 23% (2%) Annual variable margin (5)% to 21% (6%) Weighted-average cost of capital 11% Angamos 86 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (8)% to 58% (8%) Annual variable margin (8)% to 53% (11%) Weighted-average cost of capital 11% Total $ 171 Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets The following table presents (in millions) 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 the periods indicated, but for which fair value is disclosed: June 30, 2021 Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Accounts receivable — noncurrent (1) $ 108 $ 199 $ — $ — $ 199 Liabilities: Non-recourse debt 16,535 17,646 — 17,619 27 Recourse debt 3,375 3,525 — 3,525 — December 31, 2020 Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Accounts receivable — noncurrent (1) $ 97 $ 197 $ — $ — $ 197 Liabilities: Non-recourse debt 16,354 18,403 5 15,301 3,097 Recourse debt 3,446 3,677 — 3,677 — _____________________________ (1) These amounts primarily relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and amounts impacted by the Stabilization Fund enacted by the Chilean government, and are included in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value and carrying amount of these receivables exclude VAT of $3 million and $4 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES For further information on the Company’s derivative and hedge accounting policies, see Note 1— General and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities of Item 8.— Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in the 2020 Form 10-K. Volume of Activity — The following tables present the Company’s maximum notional (in millions) over the remaining contractual period by type of derivative as of June 30, 2021, regardless of whether they are in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, and the dates through which the maturities for each type of derivative range: Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Derivatives Maximum Notional Translated to USD Latest Maturity Interest rate (LIBOR and EURIBOR) $ 5,372 2059 Cross-currency swaps (Chilean Unidad de Fomento and Brazilian Real) 376 2028 Foreign Currency: Argentine peso 14 2026 Chilean peso 159 2023 Colombian peso 165 2023 Euro 132 2023 Mexican Peso 132 2021 Brazilian Real 80 2022 Others, primarily with weighted average remaining maturities of a year or less 1 2022 Commodity Derivatives Maximum Notional Latest Maturity Natural Gas (in MMBtu) 104 2029 Power (in MWhs) 27 2043 Coal (in Tons or Metric Tons) 8 2027 Accounting and Reporting — Assets and Liabilities — The following tables present the fair value of assets and liabilities related to the Company’s derivative instruments as of the periods indicated (in millions): Fair Value June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Designated Not Designated Total Designated Not Designated Total Interest rate derivatives $ 48 $ — $ 48 $ 13 $ — $ 13 Cross-currency derivatives 6 — 6 5 — 5 Foreign currency derivatives 27 89 116 40 121 161 Commodity derivatives 18 69 87 2 8 10 Total assets $ 99 $ 158 $ 257 $ 60 $ 129 $ 189 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 466 $ 7 $ 473 $ 506 $ 104 $ 610 Cross-currency derivatives 21 13 34 4 — 4 Foreign currency derivatives 11 17 28 8 35 43 Commodity derivatives — 103 103 — 22 22 Total liabilities $ 498 $ 140 $ 638 $ 518 $ 161 $ 679 June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Current $ 120 $ 215 $ 51 $ 236 Noncurrent 137 423 138 443 Total $ 257 $ 638 $ 189 $ 679 Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) — The following table presents the pre-tax gains (losses) recognized in AOCL and earnings related to all derivative instruments for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cash flow hedges Gains (losses) recognized in AOCL Interest rate derivatives $ (222) $ (137) $ 87 $ (667) Cross-currency derivatives 1 3 3 (36) Foreign currency derivatives (19) (2) (20) (14) Commodity derivatives 17 4 17 4 Total $ (223) $ (132) $ 87 $ (713) Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCL into earnings Interest rate derivatives $ (28) $ (102) $ (52) $ (117) Cross-currency derivatives (1) 2 (2) (15) Foreign currency derivatives (2) (5) (5) (13) Commodity derivatives (1) 2 (3) 2 Total $ (32) $ (103) $ (62) $ (143) Gains (Losses) on fair value hedging relationship Cross-currency derivatives $ (32) $ — $ (32) $ — Hedged items 35 — 35 — Total $ 3 $ — $ 3 $ — Loss reclassified from AOCL to earnings due to impairment of assets $ (9) $ — $ (13) $ — Gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to Not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate derivatives $ (9) $ — $ 105 $ — Foreign currency derivatives 7 (18) (4) 22 Commodity derivatives and other 12 — (81) 6 Total $ 10 $ (18) $ 20 $ 28 AOCL is expected to decrease pre-tax income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022 by $92 million, primarily due to interest rate derivatives.

Financing Receivables

Financing Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Receivables [Abstract]
FINANCING RECEIVABLES	FINANCING RECEIVABLES Receivables with contractual maturities of greater than one year are considered financing receivables. The following table presents financing receivables by country as of the dates indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross Receivable Allowance Net Receivable Gross Receivable Allowance Net Receivable Argentina $ 45 $ 8 $ 37 $ 48 $ 9 $ 39 Chile 44 — 44 31 — 31 Other 30 — 30 31 — 31 Total $ 119 $ 8 $ 111 $ 110 $ 9 $ 101 Chile — AES Andes has recorded noncurrent receivables pertaining to revenues recognized on regulated energy contracts that were impacted by the Stabilization Fund created by the Chilean government in October 2019, in conjunction with the Tariff Stabilization Law. Historically, the government updated the prices for these contracts every six months to reflect the indexation the contracts have to exchange rates and commodities prices. The Stabilization Fund does not allow the pass-through of these contractual indexation updates to customers beyond the pricing in effect at July 1, 2019, until new lower-cost renewable contracts are incorporated into pricing in 2023. Consequently, costs incurred in excess of the July 1, 2019 price will be accumulated and borne by generators. AES Andes executed an agreement in December 2020 for the sale of the receivables generated pursuant the Tariff Stabilization Law, of which $65 million was collected in 2021. Argentina — Collection of the principal and interest on these receivables is subject to various business risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the operation of power plants which generate cash for payments of

Investment In and Advances To A

Investment In and Advances To Affiliates	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO AFFILIATES Summarized Financial Information — The following table summarizes financial information of the Company’s 50%-or-less-owned affiliates and majority-owned unconsolidated subsidiaries that are accounted for using the equity method (in millions): 50%-or-less Owned Affiliates Majority-Owned Unconsolidated Subsidiaries Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue $ 726 $ 939 $ 1 $ 1 Operating margin (loss) 12 153 (1) (1) Net income (loss) (93) 11 (2) (2) Fluence — On June 9, 2021, Fluence issued new shares to the Qatar Investment Authority (“QIA”) for $125 million, which following the completion of the transaction, represented a 13.6% ownership interest in Fluence. As a result of the transaction, which AES has accounted for as a partial disposition, AES’ ownership interest in Fluence decreased from 50% to 43.2%. The Company recognized a gain of $61 million in Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests . As the Company still does not control Fluence after the transaction, it continues to be accounted for as an equity method investment and is reported as part of Corporate and Other. Grupo Energía Gas Panamá — In April 2021, Grupo Energía Gas Panamá, a joint venture between AES and InterEnergy Power & Gas Limited, completed the acquisition of a combined cycle natural gas development project. AES holds a 49% ownership interest in the affiliate and as of June 30, 2021, the Company contributed $21 million to the joint venture. As the Company does not control the joint venture, it is accounted for as an equity method investment and is reported in the MCAC SBU reportable segment. sPower — On February 1, 2021, the Company substantially completed the merger of the sPower and AES Distributed Energy development platforms to form AES Clean Energy Development, a consolidated entity, which will serve as the development vehicle for all future renewable projects in the U.S. Since the sPower development platform was carved-out of AES’ existing equity method investment, this transaction resulted in a $104 million decrease in the carrying value of the sPower investment. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information. As the Company still does not control sPower after the transaction, it continues to be accounted for as an equity method investment and is reported in the US and Utilities SBU reportable segment. Guacolda — In September 2020, Guacolda management reviewed the recoverability of the Guacolda asset group and determined the undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying amount. Impairment indicators were identified primarily as a result of inability to re-contract Guacolda’s generation after expiration of its existing PPAs driven by lower energy prices in Chile and reduced forecasted cash flows resulting from decarbonization initiatives of the Chilean Government. Guacolda recognized a long-lived asset impairment at the investee level, which negatively impacted the Company's Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates by $127 million. As a result, the Company’s basis in its investment in Guacolda was reduced to zero and the equity method of accounting was suspended. In February 2021, AES Andes entered into an agreement to sell its 50% ownership interest in Guacolda for $34 million and in May 2021, the Company received a $10 million advance on the sales price. On July 20, 2021, the Company completed the sale of Guacolda and received the remaining $24 million. The Guacolda equity method investment is reported in the South America SBU reportable segment. OPGC — In March 2020, an other-than-temporary impairment was identified at OPGC primarily due to the estimated market value of the Company's investment and the economic slowdown. A calculation of the fair value of the Company’s investment in OPGC was required to evaluate whether there was a loss in the carrying value of the investment. Based on management’s estimate of fair value of $152 million, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment of $43 million. In June 2020, the Company agreed to sell its entire 49% stake in OPGC resulting in an additional other-than-temporary impairment of $158 million. Total other-than-temporary impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $201 million recognized in Other non-operating expense . In December 2020, the Company completed the sale of its interest in OPGC. Prior to its sale, the OPGC equity method investment was reported in the Eurasia SBU

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT Recourse Debt During the first quarter of 2020, the Company drew $840 million on revolving lines of credit at the Parent Company, of which approximately $250 million was used to enhance our liquidity position due to the uncertain economic conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the remaining $590 million was used for other general corporate purposes. The entire $250 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic was repaid during the second quarter of 2020. In May 2020, the Company issued $900 million aggregate principal of 3.30% senior secured notes due in 2025 and $700 million of 3.95% senior secured notes due in 2030. The Company used the net proceeds from these issuances to purchase via tender offer a portion of the 4.00% senior notes due in 2021, the 4.50% senior notes due in 2023, and the 4.875% senior notes due in 2023. Subsequent to the tender offers, the Company redeemed the remaining balance of its 4.00% and 4.875% senior notes due in 2021 and 2023, respectively, and $7 million of the remaining 4.50% senior notes due in 2023. As a result of these transactions, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $37 million. Non-Recourse Debt During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries had the following significant debt transactions: Subsidiary Transaction Period Issuances Repayments Loss on Extinguishment of Debt AES Brasil Q1 140 — — Andres (1) Q2 300 (274) (14) _____________________________ (1) Repayments relate to Andres and DPP. DPL — In June 2020, DPL issued $415 million aggregate principal of 4.125% senior secured notes due in 2025. In July 2020, the net proceeds from the issuance were used to prepay the outstanding principal of $380 million of its 7.25% senior unsecured notes due in 2021. IPALCO — In April 2020, IPALCO issued $475 million aggregate principal of 4.25% senior secured notes due in 2030. The net proceeds from the issuance were used to prepay the outstanding principal of $405 million of its 3.45% senior unsecured notes and a $65 million term loan both due in July 2020. As a result of these transactions, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Non-Recourse Debt in Default — The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default (in millions) as of June 30, 2021. Due to the defaults, these amounts are included in the current portion of non-recourse debt: Subsidiary Primary Nature of Default Debt in Default Net Assets AES Puerto Rico Covenant $ 224 $ (205) AES Ilumina (Puerto Rico) Covenant 30 24 AES Jordan Solar Covenant 7 4 Total $ 261 The above defaults are not payment defaults. In Puerto Rico, the subsidiary non-recourse debt defaults were triggered by failure to comply with covenants or other requirements contained in the non-recourse debt documents due to the bankruptcy of the offtaker.

Contingencies and Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Guarantees, Letters of Credit and Commitments — In connection with certain project financings, acquisitions and dispositions, power purchases 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 no more than 15 years. The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of June 30, 2021. Amounts presented in the following table 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. Contingent Contractual Obligations Amount (in millions) Number of Agreements Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement (in millions) Guarantees and commitments $ 2,001 73 $0 — 400 Letters of credit under the unsecured credit facilities 103 24 $0 — 51 Letters of credit under the revolving credit facility 59 22 $0 — 24 Surety bond 1 1 $1 Total $ 2,164 120 During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company paid letter of credit fees ranging from 1% to 3% per annum on the outstanding amounts of letters of credit. Contingencies Environmental — The Company periodically reviews its obligations as they relate to compliance with environmental laws, including site restoration and remediation. For the periods ended June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company recognized liabilities of $3 million and $5 million, respectively, for projected environmental remediation costs. Due to the uncertainties associated with environmental assessment and remediation activities, future costs of compliance or remediation could be higher or lower than the amount currently accrued. Moreover, where no 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, 2021. In aggregate, the Company estimates the range of potential losses related to environmental matters, where estimable, to be up to $13 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 recognized aggregate liabilities for all claims of approximately $41 million and $28 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 regulatory matters and commercial disputes in international jurisdictions. 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. 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, 2021. The material contingencies where a loss is reasonably possible primarily include disputes with offtakers, suppliers and EPC contractors; alleged breaches of contract; alleged violation of laws and regulations; income tax and non-income tax matters with tax authorities; and regulatory matters. In aggregate, the Company estimates the range of potential losses, where estimable, related to these reasonably possible material contingencies to be between $260 million and $929 million. The amounts considered reasonably possible do not include the amounts accrued, as discussed above. These material contingencies do not include income tax-related contingencies which are considered part of our uncertain tax positions. Tietê GSF Settlement — In December 2020, ANEEL published a regulation establishing the terms and conditions for compensation to Tietê for the non-hydrological risk charged to hydro generators through the incorrect application of the GSF mechanism from 2013 until 2018. In accordance with the regulation, this compensation will be in the form of a concession extension period of 2.7 years. As a result, the previously recognized contingent liabilities related to GSF payments were updated to reflect the Company's best estimate for the fair value of compensation to be received from the concession extension offered in conjunction with the regulation. This compensation was estimated to have a fair value of $184 million, and was recorded as a reversal of Non-Regulated Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. The concession extension also met the criteria for recognition as a definite-lived intangible asset, which will be amortized from the date of the agreement until the end of the new concession period. The value of the concession extension was based on a preliminary time-value equivalent calculation made by the CCEE and subsequent adjustments requested by Tietê, which was determined to be fair value. In March 2021, the CCEE’s final calculation of fair value was $190 million and the Company recognized an additional reversal of Non-Regulated Cost of Sales of $6 million. Both the concession extension period and its equivalent asset value are subject to a final agreement between ANEEL and AES.

Leases (Notes)

Leases (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Leases of Lessor Disclosure [Text Block]	LEASES LESSOR — The Company has operating leases for certain generation contracts that contain provisions to provide capacity to a customer, which is a stand-ready obligation to deliver energy when required by the customer. Capacity receipts are generally considered lease elements as they cover the majority of available output from a facility. The allocation of contract payments between the lease and non-lease elements is made at the inception of the lease. Lease receipts from such contracts are recognized as lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term, whereas variable lease receipts are recognized when earned. The following table presents lease revenue from operating leases in which the Company is the lessor for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Operating Lease Income 2021 2020 2021 2020 Total lease revenue $ 118 $ 153 $ 261 $ 288 Less: Variable lease revenue 25 23 39 34 Total Non-variable lease revenue $ 93 $ 130 $ 222 $ 254 The following table presents the underlying gross assets and accumulated depreciation of operating leases included in Property, Plant and Equipment for the periods indicated (in millions): Property, Plant and Equipment June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross assets $ 2,476 $ 3,103 Accumulated depreciation (730) (1,011) Net assets (1) $ 1,746 $ 2,092 _______________________________ (1) The decrease in net assets is primarily related to the asset impairment at Puerto Rico. See Note 15— Asset Impairment Expense for further information. The option to extend or terminate a lease is based on customary early termination provisions in the contract, such as payment defaults, bankruptcy, and lack of performance on energy delivery. The Company has not recognized any early terminations as of June 30, 2021. Certain leases may provide for variable lease payments based on usage or index-based (e.g., the U.S. Consumer Price Index) adjustments to lease payments. The following table shows the future lease receipts as of June 30, 2021 for the remainder of 2021 through 2025 and thereafter (in millions): Future Cash Receipts for Sales-Type Leases (1) Operating Leases 2021 $ 10 $ 240 2022 20 470 2023 20 406 2024 21 406 2025 21 406 Thereafter 336 1,032 Total $ 428 $ 2,960 Less: Imputed interest (205) Present value of total lease receipts $ 223 _______________________________ (1) The sales-type lease receivable balance is primarily related to AES Energy Storage Alamitos project that commenced in January 2021. Battery Storage Lease Arrangements — The Company is constructing and operating projects that pair BESS with solar energy systems, which allows the project more flexibility on when to provide energy to the grid. The Company will enter into PPAs for the full output of the facility that allow customers the ability to determine when to charge and discharge the BESS. These arrangements include both lease and non-lease elements under ASC 842, with the BESS component constituting a sales-type lease. Upon commencement of the lease, the book value of the leased asset is removed from the balance sheet and a net investment in sales-type lease is recognized based on the present value of fixed payments under the contract and the residual value of the underlying asset. Due to the variable nature of lease payments under these contracts, the Company recorded losses at commencement of sales-type leases of $13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. These amounts are recognized in Other expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 14— Other Income and Expense

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiari

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Redeemable Stock of Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	REDEEMABLE STOCK OF SUBSIDIARIES The following table summarizes the Company’s redeemable stock of subsidiaries balances as of the periods indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 IPALCO common stock $ 618 $ 618 AES Clean Energy Development common stock 256 — Colon quotas (1) 215 194 AES Indiana preferred stock 60 60 Total redeemable stock of subsidiaries $ 1,149 $ 872 _____________________________ (1) Characteristics of quotas are similar to common stock. AES Clean Energy Development — On February 1, 2021, the Company substantially completed the merger of the sPower and AES Distributed Energy development platforms to form AES Clean Energy Development, which will serve as the development vehicle for all future renewable projects in the U.S. As part of the transaction, AlMCo, our existing partner in the sPower equity method investment, received a 25% minority ownership interest in the newly formed entity along with certain partnership rights, though not currently in effect, that would enable AIMCo to exit in the future. As a result, the minority ownership interest is considered temporary equity. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair values of the sPower and AES Distributed Energy development platforms and the value of the partnership rights initially recorded in the first quarter of 2021, which resulted in a $81 million increase in the value of the temporary equity. These measurement period adjustments primarily relate to higher expected developer profits and a higher growth rate, reflective of additional information that became available regarding market participants’ views of the value of early-stage renewable development projects as of the date of acquisition. The temporary equity will be adjusted for earnings or losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest under ASC 810. Any subsequent changes in the redemption value of the exit rights will be recognized against permanent equity in accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, as it is probable that the shares will become redeemable. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information.

Equity

Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
EQUITY	EQUITY Equity Units In March 2021, the Company issued 10,430,500 Equity Units with a total notional value of $1,043 million. Each Equity Unit has a stated amount of $100 and was initially issued as a Corporate Unit, consisting of a forward stock purchase contract (“2024 Purchase Contracts”) and a 10% undivided beneficial ownership interest in one share of 0% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Company received approximately $1 billion proceeds from the Equity Units, net of underwriting costs and commissions, before offering expenses, and issued 1,043,050 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, recording $1,043 million in Preferred stock on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The proceeds will be used for the development of the AES renewable businesses, U.S. utility businesses, LNG infrastructure, and for other developments determined by management. Convertible Preferred Stock — The Series A Preferred Stock will initially not bear any dividends and the liquidation preference of the convertible preferred stock will not accrete. The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding unless converted by holders or redeemed by the Company. Holders of the shares of the convertible preferred stock will have limited voting rights. The Series A Preferred Stock is pledged as collateral to support holders’ purchase obligations under the 2024 Purchase Contracts and can be remarketed. In connection with any successful remarketing, the Company may increase the dividend rate, increase the conversion rate, and modify the earliest redemption date for the convertible preferred stock. After any successful remarketing in connection with which the dividend rate on the convertible preferred stock is increased, the Company will pay cumulative dividends on the convertible preferred stock, if declared by the board of directors, quarterly in arrears from the applicable remarketing settlement date. Holders of Corporate Units may create Treasury Units or Cash Settled Units from their Corporate Units as provided in the Purchase Contract Agreement by substituting Treasury securities or cash, respectively, for the Convertible Preferred Stock comprising a part of the Corporate Units. Prior to February 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted at the option of the holder only under limited circumstances in connection with a fundamental change, as defined in the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock. On and after February 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted freely at the option of the holder. The conversion rate is initially 31.5428 shares of common stock per one share of Series A Preferred Stock, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $31.70 per share of common stock. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver in respect of each $1,000 liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock being converted (i) one share of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, or, solely with respect to conversions in connection with a redemption, up to $1,000 in cash and (ii) shares of common stock, if any, in respect of any conversion value in excess of the liquidation preference of the preferred stock being converted. The Company may not redeem the Series A Preferred Stock prior to March 22, 2024. At the election of the Company, on or after March 22, 2024, the Company may redeem for cash, all or any portion of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock at a redemption price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends. 2024 Purchase Contracts — The 2024 Purchase Contracts obligate the holders to purchase, on February 15, 2024, for a price of $100 in cash, a maximum number of 57,215,465 shares of the Company’s common stock (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments). The 2024 Purchase Contract holders may elect to settle their obligation early, in cash. The Series A Preferred Stock is pledged as collateral to guarantee the holders’ obligations to purchase common stock under the terms of the 2024 Purchase Contracts. The initial settlement rate determining the number of shares that each holder must purchase will not exceed the maximum settlement rate of 3.864, determined over a market value averaging period preceding February 15, 2024. The settlement rate will be calculated using an initial reference price of $25.88, equal to the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock on March 4, 2021. If the applicable market value of the Company’s common stock is less than or equal to the reference price, the settlement rate will be the maximum settlement rate; and if the applicable market value of common stock is greater than the reference price, the settlement rate will be a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to $100 divided by the applicable market value. Upon settlement of the 2024 Purchase Contracts, the Company expects to receive additional cash proceeds of $1 billion. The Company will pay the holders of the 2024 Purchase Contracts quarterly payments (“Contract Adjustment Payments”) at a rate of 6.875% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, commencing on May 15, 2021. The $205 million present value of the Contract Adjustment Payments reduced additional paid-in capital at inception. As each quarterly Contract Adjustment Payment is made, the related liability is reduced and the difference between the cash payment and the present value will accrete to interest expense, approximately $5 million over the three-year term. The holders can settle the purchase contracts early, for cash, subject to certain exceptions and conditions in the prospectus supplement. Upon early settlement of any purchase contracts, the Company will deliver the number of shares of its common stock equal to 85% of the number of shares of common stock that would have otherwise been deliverable. Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests Guaimbê Holding — In April 2021, Guaimbê Solar Holding S.A (“Guaimbê Holding”), a subsidiary of AES Brasil which wholly owns the Guaimbê solar complex and the Alto Sertão II wind facility, issued preferred shares representing 19.9% ownership in the subsidiary for total proceeds of $158 million. The transaction decreased the Company’s indirect ownership interest in the operational entities from 45.3% to 36.3%. As the Company maintained control after the transaction, Guaimbê Holding continues to be consolidated by the Company within the South America SBU reportable segment. AES Andes — On December 29, 2020, AES Andes commenced a preemptive rights offering for its existing shareholders to subscribe for up to 1.98 billion of newly issued shares to fund its renewable growth program. The period ended on February 5, 2021 and Inversiones Cachagua SpA, an AES subsidiary, subscribed for 1.35 billion shares at a cost of $205 million, increasing AES’ indirect beneficial interest in AES Andes from 67% to 67.1%. The noncontrolling interest holders subscribed for 629 million shares, resulting in additional capital contributions of $94 million. AES Andes is reported in the South America SBU reportable segment. AES Brasil — In August 2020, AES Holding Brasil Ltda. (“AHB”) committed to migrate AES Tietê to the Novo Mercado, which is a listing segment of the Brazilian stock exchange that requires equity capital to be composed only of common shares. On December 18, 2020, the AES Tietê board approved a proposal for the corporate reorganization and exchange of shares issued by AES Tietê with newly issued shares of AES Brasil, a formerly wholly-owned entity of AES Tietê, with the intent to list AES Brasil on Novo Mercado as the 100% shareholder of AES Tietê. The reorganization and the exchange of shares was completed on March 26, 2021, and the shares issued by AES Brasil started trading on Novo Mercado on March 29, 2021. The Company maintains majority representation on AES Brasil’s board of directors, and as such, continues to consolidate AES Brasil’s results in the South America SBU reportable segment. Through multiple transactions in 2021, AHB acquired an additional 1.6% ownership in AES Brasil for $17 million. These transactions increased the Company’s economic interest in AES Brasil to 45.7% and resulted in a $13 million decrease in Parent Company Stockholder’s Equity due to a decrease in additional paid-in-capital of $6 million and the reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive losses from NCI to AOCL of $7 million. AES Brasil is reported in the South America SBU reportable segment. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss — The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL by component, net of tax and NCI, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in millions): Foreign currency translation adjustment, net Unrealized derivative gains (losses), net Unfunded pension obligations, net Total Balance at the beginning of the period $ (1,644) $ (699) $ (54) $ (2,397) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (26) 43 — 17 Amount reclassified to earnings 3 36 1 40 Other comprehensive income (loss) (23) 79 1 57 Reclassification from NCI due to share repurchases (7) — — (7) Balance at the end of the period $ (1,674) $ (620) $ (53) $ (2,347) Reclassifications out of AOCL are presented in the following table. Amounts for the periods indicated are in millions and those in parentheses indicate debits to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: AOCL Components Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests $ (3) $ 2 $ (3) $ 2 Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (3) $ 2 $ (3) $ 2 Derivative gains (losses), net Non-regulated revenue $ — $ (1) $ — $ (1) Non-regulated cost of sales (3) 2 (4) 1 Interest expense (13) (103) (29) (119) Asset impairment expense (9) — (13) — Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) (2) — (5) (23) Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (27) (102) (51) (142) Income tax benefit (expense) 6 25 13 33 Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (5) (1) (11) (1) Income (loss) from continuing operations (26) (78) (49) (110) Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries 7 (17) 13 (11) Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (19) $ (95) $ (36) $ (121) Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net Regulated cost of sales $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Other expense (1) (1) (1) (1) Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (2) (1) (2) (1) Income tax benefit (expense) 1 1 1 1 Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests $ (23) $ (93) $ (40) $ (119) Common Stock Dividends — The Parent Company paid dividends of $0.1505 per outstanding share to its common stockholders during the first and second quarters of 2021 for dividends declared in December 2020 and February 2021, respectively. On July 16, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.1505 per share payable on August 16, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 2, 2021.

Segments

Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
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 businesses internally and is mainly organized by geographic regions, which provides a socio-political-economic understanding of our business. The management reporting structure is organized by four SBUs led by our President and Chief Executive Officer: US and Utilities, South America, MCAC, and Eurasia SBUs. Using the accounting guidance on segment reporting, the Company determined that its four operating segments are aligned with its four reportable segments corresponding to its SBUs. Corporate and Other — Included in “Corporate and Other” are the results of the AES self-insurance company and certain equity affiliates, corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our four reportable segments, and certain intercompany charges such as self-insurance premiums which are fully eliminated in consolidation. The Company uses Adjusted PTC as its primary segment performance measure. Adjusted PTC, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation excluding gains or losses of the consolidated entity due to (a) unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions and equity securities; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and gains and losses recognized at commencement of sales-type leases; (d) losses due to impairments; (e) gains, losses and costs due to the early retirement of debt; and (f) net gains at Angamos, one of our businesses in the South America SBU, associated with the early contract terminations with Minera Escondida and Minera Spence. Adjusted PTC also includes net equity in earnings of affiliates on an after-tax basis adjusted for the same gains or losses excluded from consolidated entities. The Company has concluded that Adjusted PTC better 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 investors in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the Company’s results. Revenue and Adjusted PTC are presented before inter-segment eliminations, which includes the effect of intercompany transactions with other segments except for interest, charges for certain management fees, and the write-off of intercompany balances, as applicable. All intra-segment activity has been eliminated within the segment. Inter-segment activity has been eliminated within the total consolidated results. The following tables present financial information by segment for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Revenue 2021 2020 2021 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 972 $ 913 $ 1,921 $ 1,884 South America SBU 964 711 1,848 1,423 MCAC SBU 490 381 1,025 813 Eurasia SBU 277 214 547 439 Corporate and Other 37 114 61 142 Eliminations (40) (116) (67) (146) Total Revenue $ 2,700 $ 2,217 $ 5,335 $ 4,555 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Adjusted PTC 2021 2020 2021 2020 Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ (130) $ 105 $ (121) $ 425 Add: Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (10) 8 (40) 6 Less: (Income) loss from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests 140 (118) (23) (237) Pre-tax contribution — (5) (184) 194 Unrealized derivative and equity securities losses (gains) 8 14 77 (2) Unrealized foreign currency gains (12) (12) (6) (3) Disposition/acquisition losses (gains) (229) 29 (244) 30 Impairment losses 628 168 1,103 221 Loss on extinguishment of debt 18 44 24 48 Net gains from early contract terminations at Angamos (110) — (220) — Total Adjusted PTC $ 303 $ 238 $ 550 $ 488 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Adjusted PTC 2021 2020 2021 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 128 $ 57 $ 172 $ 128 South America SBU 96 140 184 259 MCAC SBU 71 66 132 144 Eurasia SBU 48 49 99 93 Corporate and Other (55) (85) (62) (143) Eliminations 15 11 25 7 Total Adjusted PTC $ 303 $ 238 $ 550 $ 488 Total Assets June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 14,949 $ 14,464 South America SBU 10,836 11,329 MCAC SBU 4,610 4,847 Eurasia SBU 3,575 3,621 Corporate and Other 757 342 Total Assets $ 34,727 $ 34,603

Revenue (Notes)

Revenue (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	REVENUE The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers and other revenue for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 659 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 659 Other regulated revenue 12 — — — — 12 Total regulated revenue 671 — — — — 671 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 232 959 465 215 (3) 1,868 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 69 5 25 62 — 161 Total non-regulated revenue 301 964 490 277 (3) 2,029 Total revenue $ 972 $ 964 $ 490 $ 277 $ (3) $ 2,700 Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 610 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 610 Other regulated revenue 14 — — — — 14 Total regulated revenue 624 — — — — 624 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 201 708 356 156 (2) 1,419 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 88 3 25 58 — 174 Total non-regulated revenue 289 711 381 214 (2) 1,593 Total revenue $ 913 $ 711 $ 381 $ 214 $ (2) $ 2,217 Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 1,357 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,357 Other regulated revenue 21 — — — — 21 Total regulated revenue 1,378 — — — — 1,378 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 456 1,842 975 424 (6) 3,691 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 87 6 50 123 — 266 Total non-regulated revenue 543 1,848 1,025 547 (6) 3,957 Total revenue $ 1,921 $ 1,848 $ 1,025 $ 547 $ (6) $ 5,335 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 1,313 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,313 Other regulated revenue 23 — — — — 23 Total regulated revenue 1,336 — — — — 1,336 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 364 1,419 764 327 (4) 2,870 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 184 4 49 112 — 349 Total non-regulated revenue 548 1,423 813 439 (4) 3,219 Total revenue $ 1,884 $ 1,423 $ 813 $ 439 $ (4) $ 4,555 _______________________________ (1) Other non-regulated revenue primarily includes lease and derivative revenue not accounted for under ASC 606. Contract Balances — The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in accounts receivable and contract liabilities. The contract liabilities from contracts with customers were $230 million and $531 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $355 million and $11 million, respectively, that was included in the corresponding contract liability balance at the beginning of the periods. In August 2020, AES Andes reached an agreement with Minera Escondida and Minera Spence to early terminate two PPAs of the Angamos coal-fired plant in Chile, further accelerating AES Andes' decarbonization strategy. As a result of the termination payment, Angamos recognized a contract liability of $655 million, of which $55 million will be derecognized each month through the end of the remaining performance obligation in August 2021. As of June 30, 2021, the remaining contract liability is $56 million. A significant financing arrangement exists for our Mong Duong plant in Vietnam. The plant was constructed under a build, operate, and transfer contract and will be transferred to the Vietnamese government after the completion of a 25 year PPA. The performance obligation to construct the facility was substantially completed in 2015. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $1.3 billion of contract consideration related to the construction, but not yet collected through the 25 year PPA, was reflected as a loan receivable, net of CECL reserve of $31 million. Mong Duong met the held-for-sale criteria and the loan receivable balance was reclassified to held-for-sale assets as of June 30, 2021. Of the loan receivable balance, $85 million was classified as Current held-for-sale assets and $1.2 billion was classified as Noncurrent held-for-sale assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Other Income and Expense

Other Income and Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE Other income generally includes gains on insurance recoveries in excess of property damage, gains on asset sales and liability extinguishments, favorable judgments on contingencies, allowance for funds used during construction, and other income from miscellaneous transactions. Other expense generally includes losses on asset sales and dispositions, losses on legal contingencies, defined benefit plan non-service costs, and losses from other miscellaneous transactions. The components are summarized as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Other Income Gain on remeasurement to acquisition-date fair value (1) $ 176 $ — $ 212 $ — Gain on sale of assets (2) 1 — 1 43 Other 6 9 13 11 Total other income $ 183 $ 9 $ 226 $ 54 Other Expense Loss on commencement of sales-type leases (3) $ — $ — $ 13 $ — Loss on sale and disposal of assets 4 1 7 2 Non-service pension and other postretirement costs — 1 — 1 Other — 1 — 4 Total other expense $ 4 $ 3 $ 20 $ 7 _____________________________ (1) Related to the remeasurement of our existing equity interest in sPower’s development platform as part of the step acquisition to form AES Clean Energy Development. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information. (2) Primarily associated with the gain on sale of Redondo Beach land at Southland. See Note 17 —Held-for-Sale and Dispositions for further information. (3) Related to a loss recognized at commencement of a sales-type lease at AES Distributed Energy. See Note 9— Leases for further information.

Asset Impairment Expense

Asset Impairment Expense	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE	ASSET IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE The following table presents our asset impairment expense for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Ventanas $ 649 $ — $ 649 $ — Puerto Rico — — 475 — Angamos 155 — 155 — Mountain View I & II 67 — 67 — Other 1 — (1) 6 Total $ 872 $ — $ 1,345 $ 6 Ventanas and Angamos — In July 2021, AES Andes entered into an agreement committing to accelerate the retirement of the Ventanas 3, Ventanas 4, Angamos 1, and Angamos 2 coal-fired plants in Chile in order to further advance its decarbonization strategy. Due to these strategic developments, the Company performed impairment analyses as of June 30, 2021, and determined that the carrying amounts of the asset groups were not recoverable. The Ventanas and Angamos asset groups were determined to have fair values of $12 million and $86 million, respectively, using the income approach. As a result, the Company recognized pre-tax asset impairment expense of $649 million and $155 million, respectively. Ventanas and Angamos are reported in the South America SBU reportable segment. Mountain View I & II — In April 2021, the Company approved plans to execute a repowering project for the Mountain View I & II wind facility and signed two new PPAs for the energy and capacity related to the repowered asset. As the repowering will result in decommissioning the majority of the existing wind turbines in advance of their depreciable lives, the execution of the new PPAs was identified as an impairment indicator. The asset group was determined to have a fair value of $11 million using the income approach. As a result, the Company recognized pre-tax asset impairment expense of $67 million. Mountain View I & II is reported in the US and Utilities SBU reportable segment. Puerto Rico — New factors arose in the first quarter of 2021 associated with the economic costs and operational and reputational risks of disposal of coal combustion residuals off island. In addition, new legislative initiatives surrounding the prohibition of coal generation assets in Puerto Rico were introduced. Collectively, these factors along with management’s decision on how to best achieve our stated decarbonization goals resulted in an indicator of impairment at our asset group in Puerto Rico. As such, management performed a recoverability test in accordance with ASC 360 and concluded that Puerto Rico’s undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the asset group. The fair value of the asset group was determined to be $73 million, resulting in pre-tax impairment expense of $475 million. Puerto Rico is reported in the US and Utilities SBU reportable segment.

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES The Company’s provision for income taxes is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate, plus discrete items. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were 45% and 42%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were 108% and 48%, respectively. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rates for the 2021 and 2020 periods and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% related primarily to U.S. taxes on foreign earnings, foreign tax rate differentials, the impacts of foreign currency fluctuations at certain foreign subsidiaries, nondeductible expenses, and valuation allowance. The Company recognized discrete tax expense in 2021 resulting from several transactions. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded discrete tax expense of approximately $39 million and $46 million, respectively, due to the formation of AES Clean Energy Development. Additionally, the issuance of new shares by Fluence resulted in approximately $13 million of discrete tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recognized approximately $13 million of discrete tax benefit from the impact of foreign currency devaluation in Mexico. The Company recognized discrete tax expense of approximately $13 million and $21 million, as a result of incremental capitalized interest in Chile for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Additionally, the Company recognized discrete tax expense of approximately $25 million as a result of incremental deferred taxes relating to DPL for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

Held-for-Sale and Dispositions

Held-for-Sale and Dispositions (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DISPOSITIONS AND HELD-FOR-SALE BUSINESSES	HELD-FOR-SALE AND DISPOSITIONS Held-for-Sale Mong Duong — In December 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its entire 51% ownership interest in Mong Duong, a coal-fired plant in Vietnam, and 51% equity interest in Mong Duong Finance Holdings B.V, an SPV accounted for as an equity affiliate. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in early 2022. As of June 30, 2021, the Mong Duong plant and SPV were classified as held-for-sale, but did not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. On a consolidated basis, the carrying value of the plant and SPV held-for-sale as of June 30, 2021 was $502 million. Mong Duong is reported in the Eurasia SBU reportable segment. Estrella del Mar I — The Estrella del Mar I power barge met the held-for-sale criteria as of December 31, 2020, but did not meet criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. On a consolidated basis, the carrying value of the power barge held-for-sale as of June 30, 2021 was $16 million. Estrella del Mar I is reported in the MCAC SBU reportable segment. Jordan — In November 2020, the Company signed an agreement to sell 26% ownership interest in IPP1 and IPP4 for $58 million. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021. After completion of the sale, the Company will retain a 10% ownership interest in IPP1 and IPP4, which will be accounted for as an equity method investment. As of June 30, 2021, the generation plants were classified as held-for-sale, but do not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. On a consolidated basis, the carrying value of the plants held-for-sale as of June 30, 2021 was $150 million. Jordan is reported in the Eurasia SBU reportable segment. Excluding any impairment charges, pre-tax income attributable to AES of businesses held-for-sale as of June 30, 2021 was as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Mong Duong 15 15 30 30 Jordan 5 5 10 10 Estrella Del Mar I — 3 — 6 Total $ 20 $ 23 $ 40 $ 46 Dispositions AES Tietê Inova Soluções — In June 2021, the Company completed the sale of its ownership in AES Inova Soluções, an investment platform in distributed solar generation, for $20 million, resulting in a pre-tax loss on sale of $1 million. The sale did not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Pre-tax income attributable to AES was immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. AES Tietê Inova Soluções is reported in the South America SBU reportable segment. Itabo — In April 2021, the Company completed the sale of its 43% ownership interest in Itabo, a coal-fired plant and gas turbine in Dominican Republic, for $88 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $4 million. The sale did not meet the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Pre-tax income attributable to AES was $1 million and $5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively; and $8 million and $19 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Prior to its sale, Itabo was reported in the MCAC SBU reportable segment. Kazakhstan Hydroelectric — Affiliates of the Company (the “Affiliates”) previously operated Shulbinsk HPP and Ust-Kamenogorsk HPP (the “HPPs”), two hydroelectric plants in Kazakhstan, under a concession agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan (“ROK”). In April 2017, the ROK initiated the process to transfer these plants back to the ROK. The ROK indicated that arbitration would be necessary to determine the correct Return Share Transfer Payment ("RST") and, rather than paying the Affiliates, deposited the RST into an escrow account. In exchange, the Affiliates transferred 100% of the shares in the HPPs to the ROK, under protest and with a full reservation of rights. In February 2018, the Affiliates initiated the arbitration process in international court to recover at least $75 million of the RST placed in escrow, based on the September 30, 2017 RST calculation. In May 2020, the arbitrator issued a final decision in favor of the Affiliates, awarding the Affiliates a net amount of damages of approximately $45 million, which has been collected. AES recorded the remaining $30 million as a loss on sale during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Prior to their transfer, the Kazakhstan HPPs were reported in the Eurasia SBU reportable segment. Redondo Beach Land — In March 2020, the Company completed the sale of land held by AES Redondo Beach, a gas-fired generating facility in California. The land’s carrying value was $24 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $41 million, reported in Other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. AES Redondo Beach will lease back the land from the purchaser for the remainder of the generation facility’s useful life. Redondo Beach is reported in the US and Utilities SBU reportable segment.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	ACQUISITIONS Cajuina Wind Complex — On May 21, 2021, AES Brasil completed the acquisition of the Cajuina Wind Complex for $22 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition of variable interest entities that did not meet the definition of a business, therefore the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values, which equaled the fair value of the consideration. Any differences arising from post-closing adjustments will be allocated accordingly. Cajuina is reported in the South America SBU. Cubico Wind Complex — On April 30, 2021, AES Brasil completed the acquisition of the Cubico Wind Complex for $109 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition, therefore the consideration transferred, plus transaction costs, were allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Any differences arising from post-closing adjustments will be allocated accordingly. Cubico is reported in the South America SBU. AES Clean Energy Development — On February 1, 2021, the Company substantially completed the merger of the sPower and AES Distributed Energy development platforms to form AES Clean Energy Development, which will serve as the development vehicle for all future renewable projects in the U.S. As part of the transaction, AES acquired an additional 25% ownership interest in the sPower development platform from AIMCo, our existing partner in the sPower equity method investment, in exchange for a 25% ownership interest in specifically identified development entities of Distributed Energy, certain future exit rights in the new partnership, and $7 million of cash. The sPower development platform was carved-out of AES’ existing equity method investment. AES’ basis in the portion of assets transferred was $104 million, and the contribution to AES Clean Energy Development resulted in a corresponding decrease in the carrying value of the sPower investment. See Note 6 —Investments in and Advances to Affiliates for further information. During the first quarter of 2021, the sPower development assets transferred were remeasured at their acquisition-date preliminary fair values, resulting in the recognition of a $36 million gain, recorded in Other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company recorded $81 million in Goodwill as of the acquisition date, representing the difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred, the noncontrolling interest in the sPower development platform, and the acquisition-date fair value of the Company’s previously held equity interest and the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments as result of additional facts and circumstances that existed as of the date of the acquisition but were not yet known as of the time of the valuation performed in the first quarter of 2021. These measurement period adjustments primarily relate to higher expected developer profits and a higher growth rate, reflective of additional information that became available regarding market participants’ views of the value of early-stage renewable development projects as of the date of acquisition. As a result, the estimated acquisition-date carrying value and fair values of the sPower development assets transferred were increased, which resulted in the recognition of an additional $176 million gain, for an updated gain of $212 million. Furthermore, the estimated goodwill as of the acquisition date was reduced to $46 million, as a result of adjustments to the fair value of the consideration paid and updates to the fair values of separately identifiable intangible assets. The Company has recorded preliminary amounts for the purchase price allocation; however, the Company may continue to make adjustments pertaining to the associated income tax accounting during the measurement period primarily related to deferred taxes. Subsequent to the closing of the transaction, AES holds a 75% ownership interest in AES Clean Energy Development. AIMCo holds the remaining 25% minority interest along with certain partnership rights, though currently not in effect, that would enable AIMCo to exit in the future. AIMCo’s minority interest is recorded as temporary equity in Redeemable stock of subsidiaries on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 10 —Redeemable Stock of Subsidiaries for further information. AES Clean Energy Development is reported in the US and Utilities SBU reportable segment. Penonome I — In May 2020, AES Panama completed the acquisition of the Penonome I wind farm from Goldwind International for $80 million. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition, therefore the consideration transferred, plus transaction costs, was allocated to the individual assets and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Penonome I is reported in the MCAC SBU reportable segment.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
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 RSUs and stock options. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method. The following table is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, where income represents the numerator and weighted average shares represent the denominator. Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 (in millions, except per share data) Income Shares $ per Share Loss Shares $ per Share BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders $ 24 666 $ 0.03 $ (86) 665 $ (0.13) EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES Stock options — 1 — — — — Restricted stock units — 3 — — — — DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ 24 670 $ 0.03 $ (86) 665 $ (0.13) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 (in millions, except per share data) Loss Shares $ per Share Income Shares $ per Share BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders $ (124) 666 $ (0.19) $ 58 665 $ 0.09 EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES Stock options — — — — 1 — Restricted stock units — — — — 2 — DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ (124) 666 $ (0.19) $ 58 668 $ 0.09 The calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 1 million outstanding stock awards for the three months ended June 30, 2021, and 2 million outstanding stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2020, which would be anti-dilutive. These stock awards could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and three months ended June 30, 2020, the calculation of diluted earnings per share excluded 6 million and 5 million, respectively, outstanding stock awards because their impact would be anti-dilutive given the loss from continuing operations. These stock awards could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. Had the Company generated income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and three months ended June 30, 2020, 4 million and 2 million, respectively, potential shares of common stock related to the stock awards would have been included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding. As described in Note 11 —Equity , the Company issued $1,043 million in Equity Units in March 2021, consisting of $1,043 million of Series A Preferred Stock and the 2024 Purchase Contracts. Prior to February 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted at the option of the holder only in connection with a fundamental change. On and after February 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted freely at the option of the holder. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver to the holder with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock being converted (i) a share of our Series B Preferred Stock, or, solely with respect to conversions in connection with a redemption, cash and (ii) shares of our common stock, if any, in respect of any conversion value in excess of the liquidation preference of the preferred stock being converted. The conversion rate is initially 31.5428 shares of common stock per one share of Series A Preferred Stock, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $31.70 per share of common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock is excluded from the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation on the basis that the Series A Preferred Stock will be settled in cash except to the extent that the conversion value exceeds its liquidation preference. Therefore, before any redemption or conversion, the shares of common stock that would be required to settle the applicable conversion value in excess of the liquidation preference, if the Company elects to settle such excess in shares of common stock, would be included in the denominator of diluted earnings per share in periods in which they are dilutive. The shares related to the convertible preferred stock were anti-dilutive during June 2021.

Risks and Uncertainties (Notes)

Risks and Uncertainties (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Unusual Risks and Uncertainties [Table Text Block]	RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES COVID-19 Pandemic — The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global economic activity, including electricity and energy consumption, and caused significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Chile Renovables SpA — On July 15, 2021, AES Andes completed the sale of a 49% ownership interest in Chile Renovables SpA to Global Infrastructure Partners. AES Andes will remain the controlling shareholder with a 51% ownership interest in the renewable energy facilities in Chile. As part of the transaction, Chile Renovables SpA will acquire several of AES Andes’ SPVs for a total consideration of $441 million which will be received as the projects reach COD. On July 29, 2021, Los Cururos was contributed to Chile Renovables SpA and AES Andes received $53 million of the aforementioned consideration. Parent Company Notes Exchange Offer — On July 19, 2021, AES offered to exchange up to $800 million of the new registered 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 for up to $800 million of the existing unregistered 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 and up to $1 billion of our new registered 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 for up to $1 billion of the existing unregistered 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to the terms of the old notes; except that the new notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the old notes do not apply to the new notes. The offer is expected to expire on August 18, 2021 unless it is extended. Guacolda — On July 20, 2021, AES Andes completed the sale of its 50% ownership interest in Guacolda, a coal-fired plant in Chile, for $34 million. See Note 6 —Investments in and Advances to Affiliates for further information. New York Wind Acquisition — On July 30, 2021, AES Clean Energy Development, LLC entered into an agreement to acquire Cogentrix Valcour Intermediate Holdings, LLC for cash consideration, subject to customary purchase price adjustments, plus the assumption of related non-recourse debt. The transaction includes operating wind assets spread across six sites and will complement AES Clean Energy’s existing operating and development solar and energy storage assets in the state of New York. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of 2021.

Financial Statement Presentat_2

Financial Statement Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
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” or “the Parent Company” refer only to the publicly held holding company, The AES Corporation, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates. Furthermore, 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.
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Interim Financial Presentation — The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, as contained in the FASB ASC, for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by 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, changes in equity, and cash flows. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the year ending December 31, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the 2020 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the 2020 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”).

Contingencies and Commitments C

Contingencies and Commitments Contingencies and Commitments (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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.

Leases (Policies)

Leases (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Early Termination [Policy Text Block]	The option to extend or terminate a lease is based on customary early termination provisions in the contract, such as payment defaults, bankruptcy, and lack of performance on energy delivery.
Separation of Lease and Nonlease Components [Policy Text Block]	Capacity receipts are generally considered lease elements as they cover the majority of available output from a facility. The allocation of contract payments between the lease and non-lease elements is made at the inception of the lease.

Segments Segments (Policies)

Segments Segments (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	The segment reporting structure uses the Company’s management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how the Company manages the businesses internally and is mainly organized by geographic regions, which provides a socio-political-economic understanding of our business. The management reporting structure is organized by four SBUs led by our President and Chief Executive Officer: US and Utilities, South America, MCAC, and Eurasia SBUs. Using the accounting guidance on segment reporting, the Company determined that its four operating segments are aligned with its four reportable segments corresponding to its SBUs. Corporate and Other — Included in “Corporate and Other” are the results of the AES self-insurance company and certain equity affiliates, corporate overhead costs which are not directly associated with the operations of our four reportable segments, and certain intercompany charges such as self-insurance premiums which are fully eliminated in consolidation. The Company uses Adjusted PTC as its primary segment performance measure. Adjusted PTC, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation excluding gains or losses of the consolidated entity due to (a) unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions and equity securities; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and gains and losses recognized at commencement of sales-type leases; (d) losses due to impairments; (e) gains, losses and costs due to the early retirement of debt; and (f) net gains at Angamos, one of our businesses in the South America SBU, associated with the early contract terminations with Minera Escondida and Minera Spence. Adjusted PTC also includes net equity in earnings of affiliates on an after-tax basis adjusted for the same gains or losses excluded from consolidated entities. The Company has concluded that Adjusted PTC better 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 investors in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the Company’s results. Revenue and Adjusted PTC are presented before inter-segment eliminations, which includes the effect of intercompany transactions with other segments except for interest, charges for certain management fees, and the write-off of intercompany balances, as applicable. All intra-segment activity has been eliminated within the segment. Inter-segment activity has been eliminated within the total consolidated results.

Earnings Per Share EPS Policy (

Earnings Per Share EPS Policy (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 RSUs and stock options. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method.

Financial Statement Presentat_3

Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Standards (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted	New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2021 — The Company assessed and determined that the new accounting pronouncements adopted did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Issued	New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Effective — The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements once adopted. Accounting pronouncements not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective ASU Number and Name Description Date of Adoption Effect on the financial statements upon adoption 2021-05, Leases (Topic 842), Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments The amendments in this update affect lessors with lease contracts that (1) have variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate and (2) would have resulted in the recognition of a selling loss at lease commencement if classified as sales-type or direct financing. Lessors should classify and account for a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on a reference index or a rate as an operating lease if both of the following criteria are met: (a) The lease would have been classified as a sales-type lease or a direct financing lease in accordance with the classification criteria in paragraphs 842-10-25-2 through 25-3, (b) The lessor would have otherwise recognized a day-one loss. This update could be applied either (1) retrospectively to leases that commenced or were modified on or after the adoption of Update 2016-02 or (2) prospectively to leases that commence or are modified on or after the date that an entity first applies the amendments. Earlier application is permitted. For fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Equity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Equity’s Own Equity The amendments in this update affect entities that issue convertible instruments and/or contracts indexed to and potentially settled in an entity’s own equity. The new ASU eliminates the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models for convertible instruments. It also amends the accounting for certain contracts in an entity’s own equity that are currently accounted for as derivatives because of specific settlement provisions. In addition, the new guidance modifies how particular convertible instruments and certain contracts that may be settled in cash or shares impact the diluted EPS computation. For fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. 2020-04 and 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting The amendments in these updates provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference to LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued by reference rate reform, and clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. These amendments are effective for a limited period of time (March 12, 2020 - December 31, 2022). Effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Statement Presentat_4

Financial Statement Presentation Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash — The following table provides a summary of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that reconcile to the total of such amounts as shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,213 $ 1,089 Restricted cash 404 297 Debt service reserves and other deposits 409 441 Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 2,026 $ 1,827

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Balance By Type	The following table summarizes the Company’s inventory balances as of the periods indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fuel and other raw materials $ 228 $ 223 Spare parts and supplies 217 238 Total $ 445 $ 461

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value hierarchy for recurring measurements table	The following table presents, 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 dates indicated (in millions). For the Company’s investments in marketable debt securities, the security classes presented were determined based on the nature and risk of the security and are consistent with how the Company manages, monitors, and measures its marketable securities: June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets DEBT SECURITIES: Available-for-sale: Unsecured debentures $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 21 $ — $ 21 Certificates of deposit — 247 — 247 — 238 — 238 Total debt securities — 247 — 247 — 259 — 259 EQUITY SECURITIES: Mutual funds 30 12 — 42 28 51 — 79 Total equity securities 30 12 — 42 28 51 — 79 DERIVATIVES: Interest rate derivatives — 47 1 48 — 13 — 13 Cross-currency derivatives — 6 — 6 — 5 — 5 Foreign currency derivatives — 19 97 116 — 15 146 161 Commodity derivatives — 72 15 87 — 8 2 10 Total derivatives — assets — 144 113 257 — 41 148 189 TOTAL ASSETS $ 30 $ 403 $ 113 $ 546 $ 28 $ 351 $ 148 $ 527 Liabilities DERIVATIVES: Interest rate derivatives $ — $ 280 $ 193 $ 473 $ — $ 374 $ 236 $ 610 Cross-currency derivatives — 2 32 34 — 2 2 4 Foreign currency derivatives — 28 — 28 — 43 — 43 Commodity derivatives — 103 — 103 — 22 — 22 Total derivatives — liabilities — 413 225 638 — 441 238 679 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ — $ 413 $ 225 $ 638 $ — $ 441 $ 238 $ 679
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	The following table presents gross proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities during the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Gross proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities $ 55 $ 55 $ 300 $ 313
Fair Value, Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities) measured on a recurring basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation 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, 2021 and 2020 (presented net by type of derivative in millions). Transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 principally result from changes in the significance of unobservable inputs used to calculate the credit valuation adjustment. Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at April 1 $ (166) $ (3) $ 98 $ 1 $ (70) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings (1) (32) 6 — (27) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (16) — 1 12 (3) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 3 3 Settlements 11 3 (8) — 6 Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (20) — — — (20) Transfers of (assets)/liabilities, net out of Level 3 — — — (1) (1) Balance at June 30 $ (192) $ (32) $ 97 $ 15 $ (112) Total gains 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) $ — $ (4) $ — $ (5) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at April 1 $ (269) $ (29) $ 99 $ — $ (199) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings — — (7) — (7) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (21) 5 (7) — (23) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 1 1 Settlements 10 1 (9) — 2 Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (6) — — — (6) Balance at June 30 $ (286) $ (23) $ 76 $ 1 $ (232) Total gains 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 $ — $ — $ (16) $ — $ (16) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at January 1 $ (236) $ (2) $ 146 $ 2 $ (90) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings 1 (33) (23) — (55) Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity 19 — (8) 12 23 Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 3 3 Settlements 24 3 (18) (1) 8 Transfers of (assets) liabilities, net out of Level 3 — — — (1) (1) Balance at June 30 $ (192) $ (32) $ 97 $ 15 $ (112) 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 $ — $ (44) $ — $ (43) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Interest Rate Cross Currency Foreign Currency Commodity Total Balance at January 1 $ (184) $ (11) $ 94 $ (1) $ (102) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in earnings 2 — 2 1 5 Included in other comprehensive income — derivative activity (71) (14) 1 — (84) Included in regulatory (assets) liabilities — — — 2 2 Settlements 10 2 (21) (1) (10) Transfers of assets (liabilities), net into Level 3 (43) — — — (43) Balance at June 30 $ (286) $ (23) $ 76 $ 1 $ (232) 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 $ (12)
Derivative Assets, Significant unobservable inputs	The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 derivative assets (liabilities) as of June 30, 2021 (in millions, except range amounts): Type of Derivative Fair Value Unobservable Input Amount or Range (Weighted Average) Interest rate $ (192) Subsidiaries’ credit spreads 0.6% - 3.4% (3.4%) Cross-currency (32) Subsidiaries’ credit spreads 3.6 % Foreign currency: Argentine peso 97 Argentine peso to U.S. dollar currency exchange rate after one year 97 - 551 (256) Commodity: Other 15 Total $ (112) The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 measurement of long-lived assets held and used measured on a nonrecurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in millions, except range amounts): Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range (Weighted Average) Long-lived assets held and used: Puerto Rico $ 73 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (80)% to 8% Annual variable margin 37% to 97% Weighted-average cost of capital 18.2% Mountain View I & II 11 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (69)% to 54% (-0.02%) Annual variable margin (10)% to 56% (45.99%) Weighted-average cost of capital 7.5% Ventanas 12 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (18)% to 23% (2%) Annual variable margin (5)% to 21% (6%) Weighted-average cost of capital 11% Angamos 86 Discounted cash flow Annual revenue growth (8)% to 58% (8%) Annual variable margin (8)% to 53% (11%) Weighted-average cost of capital 11% Total $ 171
Fair value hierarchy for nonrecurring measurements table	The following table summarizes our major categories of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in millions): Measurement Date Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Pre-tax Loss Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-lived assets held and used Puerto Rico 03/31/2021 $ 548 $ — $ — $ 73 $ 475 Mountain View I & II 04/30/2021 78 — — 11 67 Ventanas 06/30/2021 661 — — 12 649 Angamos 06/30/2021 241 — — 86 155 Measurement Date Carrying Amount (1) Fair Value Pre-tax Loss Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Equity method investments: OPGC (2) 3/31/2020 $ 195 $ — $ — $ 152 $ 43 OPGC (3) 6/30/2020 $ 272 $ — $ 104 $ — $ 158 _____________________________ (1) Represents the carrying values at the dates of measurement, before fair value adjustment. (2) Excludes $115 million of cumulative translation adjustment (debit balance) in the carrying value. (3) Includes $114 million of cumulative translation adjustment (debit balance) in the carrying value. Pre-tax loss is limited to the carrying value of the equity method investment excluding CTA.
Financial instruments not measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets	The following table presents (in millions) 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 the periods indicated, but for which fair value is disclosed: June 30, 2021 Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Accounts receivable — noncurrent (1) $ 108 $ 199 $ — $ — $ 199 Liabilities: Non-recourse debt 16,535 17,646 — 17,619 27 Recourse debt 3,375 3,525 — 3,525 — December 31, 2020 Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Accounts receivable — noncurrent (1) $ 97 $ 197 $ — $ — $ 197 Liabilities: Non-recourse debt 16,354 18,403 5 15,301 3,097 Recourse debt 3,446 3,677 — 3,677 — _____________________________ (1) These amounts primarily relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and amounts impacted by the Stabilization Fund enacted by the Chilean government, and are included in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value and carrying amount of these receivables exclude VAT of $3 million and $4 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Derivative Instruments and He_2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Rate And Cross Currency Derivatives By Type Table	The following tables present the Company’s maximum notional (in millions) over the remaining contractual period by type of derivative as of June 30, 2021, regardless of whether they are in qualifying cash flow hedging relationships, and the dates through which the maturities for each type of derivative range: Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Derivatives Maximum Notional Translated to USD Latest Maturity Interest rate (LIBOR and EURIBOR) $ 5,372 2059 Cross-currency swaps (Chilean Unidad de Fomento and Brazilian Real) 376 2028 Foreign Currency: Argentine peso 14 2026 Chilean peso 159 2023 Colombian peso 165 2023 Euro 132 2023 Mexican Peso 132 2021 Brazilian Real 80 2022 Others, primarily with weighted average remaining maturities of a year or less 1 2022 Commodity Derivatives Maximum Notional Latest Maturity Natural Gas (in MMBtu) 104 2029 Power (in MWhs) 27 2043 Coal (in Tons or Metric Tons) 8 2027
Derivative Assets Liabilities At Fair Value Net By Balance Sheet Classification And Type Table	The following tables present the fair value of assets and liabilities related to the Company’s derivative instruments as of the periods indicated (in millions): Fair Value June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets Designated Not Designated Total Designated Not Designated Total Interest rate derivatives $ 48 $ — $ 48 $ 13 $ — $ 13 Cross-currency derivatives 6 — 6 5 — 5 Foreign currency derivatives 27 89 116 40 121 161 Commodity derivatives 18 69 87 2 8 10 Total assets $ 99 $ 158 $ 257 $ 60 $ 129 $ 189 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 466 $ 7 $ 473 $ 506 $ 104 $ 610 Cross-currency derivatives 21 13 34 4 — 4 Foreign currency derivatives 11 17 28 8 35 43 Commodity derivatives — 103 103 — 22 22 Total liabilities $ 498 $ 140 $ 638 $ 518 $ 161 $ 679 June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Current $ 120 $ 215 $ 51 $ 236 Noncurrent 137 423 138 443 Total $ 257 $ 638 $ 189 $ 679
Gain Loss In Earnings On Ineffective Portion Of Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges Table	The following table presents the pre-tax gains (losses) recognized in AOCL and earnings related to all derivative instruments for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cash flow hedges Gains (losses) recognized in AOCL Interest rate derivatives $ (222) $ (137) $ 87 $ (667) Cross-currency derivatives 1 3 3 (36) Foreign currency derivatives (19) (2) (20) (14) Commodity derivatives 17 4 17 4 Total $ (223) $ (132) $ 87 $ (713) Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCL into earnings Interest rate derivatives $ (28) $ (102) $ (52) $ (117) Cross-currency derivatives (1) 2 (2) (15) Foreign currency derivatives (2) (5) (5) (13) Commodity derivatives (1) 2 (3) 2 Total $ (32) $ (103) $ (62) $ (143) Gains (Losses) on fair value hedging relationship Cross-currency derivatives $ (32) $ — $ (32) $ — Hedged items 35 — 35 — Total $ 3 $ — $ 3 $ — Loss reclassified from AOCL to earnings due to impairment of assets $ (9) $ — $ (13) $ — Gains (losses) recognized in earnings related to Not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate derivatives $ (9) $ — $ 105 $ — Foreign currency derivatives 7 (18) (4) 22 Commodity derivatives and other 12 — (81) 6 Total $ 10 $ (18) $ 20 $ 28

Financing Receivables (Tables)

Financing Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables Table	The following table presents financing receivables by country as of the dates indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross Receivable Allowance Net Receivable Gross Receivable Allowance Net Receivable Argentina $ 45 $ 8 $ 37 $ 48 $ 9 $ 39 Chile 44 — 44 31 — 31 Other 30 — 30 31 — 31 Total $ 119 $ 8 $ 111 $ 110 $ 9 $ 101

Investments In and Advances To

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Abstract]
Investments In and Advances to Affiliates Financial Information	The following table summarizes financial information of the Company’s 50%-or-less-owned affiliates and majority-owned unconsolidated subsidiaries that are accounted for using the equity method (in millions): 50%-or-less Owned Affiliates Majority-Owned Unconsolidated Subsidiaries Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue $ 726 $ 939 $ 1 $ 1 Operating margin (loss) 12 153 (1) (1) Net income (loss) (93) 11 (2) (2)

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Non-recourse debt [Table Text Block]	During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries had the following significant debt transactions: Subsidiary Transaction Period Issuances Repayments Loss on Extinguishment of Debt AES Brasil Q1 140 — — Andres (1) Q2 300 (274) (14) _____________________________ (1) Repayments relate to Andres and DPP.
Debt In Default	— The following table summarizes the Company’s subsidiary non-recourse debt in default (in millions) as of June 30, 2021. Due to the defaults, these amounts are included in the current portion of non-recourse debt: Subsidiary Primary Nature of Default Debt in Default Net Assets AES Puerto Rico Covenant $ 224 $ (205) AES Ilumina (Puerto Rico) Covenant 30 24 AES Jordan Solar Covenant 7 4 Total $ 261

Contingencies and Commitments (

Contingencies and Commitments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Parent Company’s contingent contractual obligations as of June 30, 2021. Amounts presented in the following table 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. Contingent Contractual Obligations Amount (in millions) Number of Agreements Maximum Exposure Range for Each Agreement (in millions) Guarantees and commitments $ 2,001 73 $0 — 400 Letters of credit under the unsecured credit facilities 103 24 $0 — 51 Letters of credit under the revolving credit facility 59 22 $0 — 24 Surety bond 1 1 $1 Total $ 2,164 120

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	The following table presents lease revenue from operating leases in which the Company is the lessor for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Operating Lease Income 2021 2020 2021 2020 Total lease revenue $ 118 $ 153 $ 261 $ 288 Less: Variable lease revenue 25 23 39 34 Total Non-variable lease revenue $ 93 $ 130 $ 222 $ 254
Sales-type Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	The following table shows the future lease receipts as of June 30, 2021 for the remainder of 2021 through 2025 and thereafter (in millions): Future Cash Receipts for Sales-Type Leases (1) Operating Leases 2021 $ 10 $ 240 2022 20 470 2023 20 406 2024 21 406 2025 21 406 Thereafter 336 1,032 Total $ 428 $ 2,960 Less: Imputed interest (205) Present value of total lease receipts $ 223 _______________________________ (1) The sales-type lease receivable balance is primarily related to AES Energy Storage Alamitos project that commenced in January 2021.	[1]
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease	The following table presents the underlying gross assets and accumulated depreciation of operating leases included in Property, Plant and Equipment for the periods indicated (in millions): Property, Plant and Equipment June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross assets $ 2,476 $ 3,103 Accumulated depreciation (730) (1,011) Net assets (1) $ 1,746 $ 2,092 _______________________________ (1) The decrease in net assets is primarily related to the asset impairment at Puerto Rico. See Note 15— Asset Impairment Expense for further information.	[2]
[1]	The sales-type lease receivable balance is primarily related to AES Energy Storage Alamitos project that commenced in January 2021.
[2]	The decrease in net assets is primarily related to the asset impairment at Puerto Rico. See Note 15— Asset Impairment Expense for further information.

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidia_2

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Redeemable Stock of Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Temporary Equity [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company’s redeemable stock of subsidiaries balances as of the periods indicated (in millions): June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 IPALCO common stock $ 618 $ 618 AES Clean Energy Development common stock 256 — Colon quotas (1) 215 194 AES Indiana preferred stock 60 60 Total redeemable stock of subsidiaries $ 1,149 $ 872 _____________________________ (1) Characteristics of quotas are similar to common stock.

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table summarizes the changes in AOCL by component, net of tax and NCI, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (in millions): Foreign currency translation adjustment, net Unrealized derivative gains (losses), net Unfunded pension obligations, net Total Balance at the beginning of the period $ (1,644) $ (699) $ (54) $ (2,397) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (26) 43 — 17 Amount reclassified to earnings 3 36 1 40 Other comprehensive income (loss) (23) 79 1 57 Reclassification from NCI due to share repurchases (7) — — (7) Balance at the end of the period $ (1,674) $ (620) $ (53) $ (2,347)
Schedule Of Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of AOCL are presented in the following table. Amounts for the periods indicated are in millions and those in parentheses indicate debits to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: AOCL Components Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Foreign currency translation adjustment, net Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests $ (3) $ 2 $ (3) $ 2 Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (3) $ 2 $ (3) $ 2 Derivative gains (losses), net Non-regulated revenue $ — $ (1) $ — $ (1) Non-regulated cost of sales (3) 2 (4) 1 Interest expense (13) (103) (29) (119) Asset impairment expense (9) — (13) — Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) (2) — (5) (23) Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (27) (102) (51) (142) Income tax benefit (expense) 6 25 13 33 Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (5) (1) (11) (1) Income (loss) from continuing operations (26) (78) (49) (110) Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries 7 (17) 13 (11) Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (19) $ (95) $ (36) $ (121) Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial loss, net Regulated cost of sales $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Other expense (1) (1) (1) (1) Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (2) (1) (2) (1) Income tax benefit (expense) 1 1 1 1 Net income (loss) attributable to The AES Corporation $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Total reclassifications for the period, net of income tax and noncontrolling interests $ (23) $ (93) $ (40) $ (119)

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue By Segment Table	The following tables present financial information by segment for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Revenue 2021 2020 2021 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 972 $ 913 $ 1,921 $ 1,884 South America SBU 964 711 1,848 1,423 MCAC SBU 490 381 1,025 813 Eurasia SBU 277 214 547 439 Corporate and Other 37 114 61 142 Eliminations (40) (116) (67) (146) Total Revenue $ 2,700 $ 2,217 $ 5,335 $ 4,555 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Adjusted PTC 2021 2020 2021 2020 Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates $ (130) $ 105 $ (121) $ 425 Add: Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (10) 8 (40) 6 Less: (Income) loss from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests 140 (118) (23) (237) Pre-tax contribution — (5) (184) 194 Unrealized derivative and equity securities losses (gains) 8 14 77 (2) Unrealized foreign currency gains (12) (12) (6) (3) Disposition/acquisition losses (gains) (229) 29 (244) 30 Impairment losses 628 168 1,103 221 Loss on extinguishment of debt 18 44 24 48 Net gains from early contract terminations at Angamos (110) — (220) — Total Adjusted PTC $ 303 $ 238 $ 550 $ 488 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Total Adjusted PTC 2021 2020 2021 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 128 $ 57 $ 172 $ 128 South America SBU 96 140 184 259 MCAC SBU 71 66 132 144 Eurasia SBU 48 49 99 93 Corporate and Other (55) (85) (62) (143) Eliminations 15 11 25 7 Total Adjusted PTC $ 303 $ 238 $ 550 $ 488 Total Assets June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 US and Utilities SBU $ 14,949 $ 14,464 South America SBU 10,836 11,329 MCAC SBU 4,610 4,847 Eurasia SBU 3,575 3,621 Corporate and Other 757 342 Total Assets $ 34,727 $ 34,603

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers and other revenue for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 659 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 659 Other regulated revenue 12 — — — — 12 Total regulated revenue 671 — — — — 671 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 232 959 465 215 (3) 1,868 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 69 5 25 62 — 161 Total non-regulated revenue 301 964 490 277 (3) 2,029 Total revenue $ 972 $ 964 $ 490 $ 277 $ (3) $ 2,700 Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 610 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 610 Other regulated revenue 14 — — — — 14 Total regulated revenue 624 — — — — 624 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 201 708 356 156 (2) 1,419 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 88 3 25 58 — 174 Total non-regulated revenue 289 711 381 214 (2) 1,593 Total revenue $ 913 $ 711 $ 381 $ 214 $ (2) $ 2,217 Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 1,357 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,357 Other regulated revenue 21 — — — — 21 Total regulated revenue 1,378 — — — — 1,378 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 456 1,842 975 424 (6) 3,691 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 87 6 50 123 — 266 Total non-regulated revenue 543 1,848 1,025 547 (6) 3,957 Total revenue $ 1,921 $ 1,848 $ 1,025 $ 547 $ (6) $ 5,335 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 US and Utilities SBU South America SBU MCAC SBU Eurasia SBU Corporate, Other and Eliminations Total Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers $ 1,313 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,313 Other regulated revenue 23 — — — — 23 Total regulated revenue 1,336 — — — — 1,336 Non-Regulated Revenue Revenue from contracts with customers 364 1,419 764 327 (4) 2,870 Other non-regulated revenue (1) 184 4 49 112 — 349 Total non-regulated revenue 548 1,423 813 439 (4) 3,219 Total revenue $ 1,884 $ 1,423 $ 813 $ 439 $ (4) $ 4,555 _______________________________ (1) Other non-regulated revenue primarily includes lease and derivative revenue not accounted for under ASC 606.

Other Income and Expense (Table

Other Income and Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of other Income and other expense [Table Text Block]	The components are summarized as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Other Income Gain on remeasurement to acquisition-date fair value (1) $ 176 $ — $ 212 $ — Gain on sale of assets (2) 1 — 1 43 Other 6 9 13 11 Total other income $ 183 $ 9 $ 226 $ 54 Other Expense Loss on commencement of sales-type leases (3) $ — $ — $ 13 $ — Loss on sale and disposal of assets 4 1 7 2 Non-service pension and other postretirement costs — 1 — 1 Other — 1 — 4 Total other expense $ 4 $ 3 $ 20 $ 7

Asset Impairment Expense (Table

Asset Impairment Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Details of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Asset [Table Text Block]	The following table presents our asset impairment expense for the periods indicated (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Ventanas $ 649 $ — $ 649 $ — Puerto Rico — — 475 — Angamos 155 — 155 — Mountain View I & II 67 — 67 — Other 1 — (1) 6 Total $ 872 $ — $ 1,345 $ 6

Held-for-Sale and Disposition_2

Held-for-Sale and Dispositions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disclosure of Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Table Text Block]	Excluding any impairment charges, pre-tax income attributable to AES of businesses held-for-sale as of June 30, 2021 was as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Mong Duong 15 15 30 30 Jordan 5 5 10 10 Estrella Del Mar I — 3 — 6 Total $ 20 $ 23 $ 40 $ 46

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Table	The following table is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, where income represents the numerator and weighted average shares represent the denominator. Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 (in millions, except per share data) Income Shares $ per Share Loss Shares $ per Share BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders $ 24 666 $ 0.03 $ (86) 665 $ (0.13) EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES Stock options — 1 — — — — Restricted stock units — 3 — — — — DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ 24 670 $ 0.03 $ (86) 665 $ (0.13) Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 (in millions, except per share data) Loss Shares $ per Share Income Shares $ per Share BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders $ (124) 666 $ (0.19) $ 58 665 $ 0.09 EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES Stock options — — — — 1 — Restricted stock units — — — — 2 — DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE $ (124) 666 $ (0.19) $ 58 668 $ 0.09

Financial Statement Presentat_5

Financial Statement Presentation New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jan. 01, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 1,213,000,000			$ 1,089,000,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	404,000,000			297,000,000
Debt service reserves and other deposits	409,000,000			441,000,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	2,026,000,000	$ 2,107,000,000		1,827,000,000		$ 1,572,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	10,000,000			13,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	(6,000,000)	(7,000,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0	3,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	8,000,000			$ 9,000,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	57,000,000	72,000,000	$ 62,000,000		$ 68,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	4,000,000	12,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation	(3,000,000)	(4,000,000)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Premiums and Other Receivables	4,000,000	6,000,000
Accounts Receivable [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	5,000,000	12,000,000	9,000,000		4,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,000,000	10,000,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	(6,000,000)	(7,000,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	1,000,000	5,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation	0	0
Mong Duong Subsidiary [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	31,000,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	31,000,000	33,000,000	32,000,000		34,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(1,000,000)	(1,000,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation	0	0
AES Argentina [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	20,000,000	26,000,000	20,000,000		29,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	3,000,000	2,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0	(1,000,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation	(3,000,000)	(4,000,000)
Other Entity [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,000,000	1,000,000	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Foreign Currency Translation	$ 0	$ 0

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Fuel and other raw materials	$ 228	$ 223
Spare parts and supplies	217	238
Total	$ 445	$ 461

Fair Value (Recurring Measureme

Fair Value (Recurring Measurements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	$ 872	$ 0	$ 1,345	$ 6
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(112)	(232)	(112)	(232)	$ (70)	$ (90)	$ (199)	$ (102)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	546		546			527
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	638		638			679
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(27)	(7)	(55)	5
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	6	2	8	(10)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	(20)	(6)		(43)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	(1)		(1)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(5)	(16)	(43)	(12)
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	3	1	3	2
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(192)	(286)	(192)	(286)	(166)	(236)	(269)	(184)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(1)	0	1	2
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	11	10	24	10
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	(20)	(6)		(43)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1)	0	1	0
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(32)	(23)	(32)	(23)	(3)	(2)	(29)	(11)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(32)	0	(33)	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	5	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	3	1	3	2
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	0
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	97	76	97	76	98	146	99	94
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	6	(7)	(23)	2
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	(8)	(9)	(18)	(21)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(4)	(16)	(44)	(13)
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	15	1	15	1	$ 1	2	$ 0	$ (1)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	0	1
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	0	0	(1)	(1)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	1		1
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	1
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	3	1	3	2
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	30		30			28
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	403		403			351
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	413		413			441
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	113		113			148
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	225		225			238
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			21
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			21
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	42		42
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	30		30
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	12		12
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Mutual Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	247		247			259
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	247		247			259
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	247		247			238
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	247		247			238
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	42	79	42	79
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	30	28	30	28
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	12	51	12	51
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0	0	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value						79
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value						28
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value						51
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Equity Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value						0
Derivative [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	257		257			189
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	638		638			679
Derivative [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	473		473			610
Derivative [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	34		34			4
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	28		28			43
Derivative [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	103		103			22
Derivative [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	144		144			41
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	413		413			441
Derivative [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	280		280			374
Derivative [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	2		2			2
Derivative [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	28		28			43
Derivative [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	103		103			22
Derivative [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	113		113			148
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	225		225			238
Derivative [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	193		193			236
Derivative [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	32		32			2
Derivative [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	48		48			13
Derivative [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	47		47			13
Derivative [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	1		1			0
Derivative [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	6		6			5
Derivative [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	6		6			5
Derivative [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	116		116			161
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	19		19			15
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	97		97			146
Derivative [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	87		87			10
Derivative [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0			0
Derivative [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	72		72			8
Derivative [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	15		15			$ 2
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(3)	(23)	23	(84)
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(16)	(21)	19	(71)
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				(14)
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	1	(7)	(8)	1
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ 12	$ 0	$ 12	$ 0
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			0.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.40%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.40%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%

Fair Value Investment in Market

Fair Value Investment in Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Gain Loss On Marketable Securities
Gross proceeds from sales of AFS securities	$ 55	$ 55	$ 300	$ 313

Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliat

Fair Value (Level 3 Reconciliation) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	$ (112)	$ (232)	$ (112)	$ (232)	$ (70)	$ (90)	$ (199)	$ (102)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(27)	(7)	(55)	5
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	3	1	3	2
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	6	2	8	(10)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	(20)	(6)		(43)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	(1)		(1)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(5)	(16)	(43)	(12)
Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(3)	(23)	23	(84)
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(192)	(286)	(192)	(286)	(166)	(236)	(269)	(184)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(1)	0	1	2
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	11	10	24	10
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	(20)	(6)		(43)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1)	0	1	0
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(16)	(21)	19	(71)
Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	97	76	97	76	98	146	99	94
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	6	(7)	(23)	2
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	(8)	(9)	(18)	(21)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(4)	(16)	(44)	(13)
Foreign currency derivatives [Member] | Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	1	(7)	(8)	1
Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(32)	(23)	(32)	(23)	(3)	(2)	(29)	(11)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(32)	0	(33)	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	5	0
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	3	1	3	2
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	0
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				(14)
Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	15	1	15	1	$ 1	$ 2	$ 0	$ (1)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	0	1
Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities	3	1	3	2
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements	0	0	(1)	(1)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0	0		0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	1		1
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	1
Commodity Contract [Member] | Other comprehensive income - Derivative activity [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ 12	$ 0	$ 12	$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			0.60%
Minimum [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Exchange | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	97		97
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.40%
Maximum [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Exchange | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	551		551
Weighted Average [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.40%
Weighted Average [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring			3.60%
Weighted Average [Member] | Foreign Exchange | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	256		256

Fair Value (Quantitative Inform

Fair Value (Quantitative Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	$ (112)	$ (70)	$ (90)	$ (232)	$ (199)	$ (102)
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(192)	(166)	(236)	(286)	(269)	(184)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	97	98	146	76	99	94
Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	(32)	(3)	(2)	(23)	(29)	(11)
Commodity Contract [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs	$ 15	$ 1	$ 2	$ 1	$ 0	$ (1)
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	0.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	3.40%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	3.40%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	3.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	3.60%
Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring	3.60%

Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measur

Fair Value (Nonrecurring Measurements) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	$ 872	$ 0		$ 1,345	$ 6
AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	73			73
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | OPGC [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges			$ 43		158
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges				475
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	67	0		67	0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	649	0		649	0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	155	0		155	0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	171			171
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | OPGC [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		272	195		272
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Period Increase (Decrease)			115		114
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | OPGC [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		0	0		0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | OPGC [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		104	0		104
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | OPGC [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		$ 0	$ 152		$ 0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	548			548
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | AES Puerto Rico | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | AES Puerto Rico | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | AES Puerto Rico | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	73			73
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	78			78
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	11			11
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	661			661
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Ventanas [Domain] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Ventanas [Domain] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Ventanas [Domain] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	12			12
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	241			241
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Angamos [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Angamos [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	0			0
Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Angamos [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	$ 86			$ 86
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(0.02%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				2.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				8.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				8.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				54.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				23.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				58.00%
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(80.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(69.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(18.00%)
Measurement Input, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(8.00%)
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				18.20%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				7.50%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				11.00%
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				11.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				45.99%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				6.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				11.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				97.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				56.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				21.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				53.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				37.00%
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Mountain View Power Partners
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(10.00%)
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Ventanas [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(5.00%)
Measurement Input, Variable Margin | Valuation, Income Approach [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Angamos [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				(8.00%)
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				3.40%
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				3.40%
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				0.60%
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				3.60%
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				3.60%
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Measurement Input, Entity Credit Risk [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs, Nonrecurring				3.60%
Foreign Exchange | Weighted Average [Member] | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	256			256
Foreign Exchange | Maximum [Member] | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	551			551
Foreign Exchange | Minimum [Member] | Argentina, Pesos
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate	97			97

Fair Value (Instruments Not Mea

Fair Value (Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Carrying Amount [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	[1]	$ 108	$ 97
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		16,535	16,354
Recourse debt		3,375	3,446
Fair Value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Value added tax		3	4
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	[1]	199	197
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		17,646	18,403
Recourse debt		3,525	3,677
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - noncurrent		0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		0	5
Recourse debt		0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - noncurrent		0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		17,619	15,301
Recourse debt		3,525	3,677
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - noncurrent	[1]	199	197
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-recourse debt		27	3,097
Recourse debt		$ 0	$ 0
[1]	These amounts primarily relate to amounts due from CAMMESA, the administrator of the wholesale electricity market in Argentina, and amounts impacted by the Stabilization Fund enacted by the Chilean government, and are included in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value and carrying amount of these receivables exclude VAT of $3 million and $4 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Derivative Instruments and He_3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 1 (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ (28,000,000)		$ (28,000,000)		$ (43,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(4,000,000)	$ (16,000,000)	(44,000,000)	$ (13,000,000)
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(473,000,000)		(473,000,000)		(610,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1,000,000)	0	1,000,000	0
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Libor and Euribor [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	5,372,000,000		5,372,000,000
Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(34,000,000)		(34,000,000)		(4,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	0
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(103,000,000)		(103,000,000)		(22,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	0	1,000,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	(638,000,000)		(638,000,000)		$ (679,000,000)
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Period Increase (Decrease)	(5,000,000)	$ (16,000,000)	(43,000,000)	$ (12,000,000)
Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Commodity Contract Asset, Current	104,000,000		104,000,000
Energy [Domain]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Commodity Contract Asset, Current	27,000,000		27,000,000
Coal [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Commodity Contract Asset, Current	8,000,000		8,000,000
Unidad de Fomento (funds code) | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	376,000,000		376,000,000
Argentina, Pesos | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	14,000,000		14,000,000
Chile, Pesos | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	159,000,000		159,000,000
Colombia, Pesos | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	165,000,000		165,000,000
Mexico, Pesos | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	132,000,000		132,000,000
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	132,000,000		132,000,000
Other unspecified currency [Domain] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Tables [Line Items]
Derivatives, notional amount	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000

Derivative Instruments and He_4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 2 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	$ 638	$ 679
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	257	189
Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value Table [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	120	51
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value Table [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Current	215	236
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	137	138
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	423	443
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	498	518
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	99	60
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	140	161
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	158	129
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	473	610
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	48	13
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	466	506
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	48	13
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	7	104
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	0	0
Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	34	4
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	6	5
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	21	4
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	6	5
Cross currency derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	13	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	28	43
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	116	161
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	11	8
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	27	40
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	17	35
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	89	121
Commodity Contract [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	103	22
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	87	10
Commodity Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	0	0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	18	2
Commodity Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Liabilities
Derivative Liabilities, Gross	103	22
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Assets, Gross	$ 69	$ 8

Derivative Instruments and He_5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Part 3 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$ (32)	$ (103)	$ (62)	$ (143)
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	(223)	(132)	87	(713)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(1)	2	(3)	2
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	17	4	17	4
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(2)	(5)	(5)	(13)
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	(19)	(2)	(20)	(14)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cross currency derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(1)	2	(2)	(15)
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	1	3	3	(36)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Expected Increase Decrease Next Twelve Months	(92)		(92)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(28)	(102)	(52)	(117)
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gain (Losses) Recognized in AOCL	(222)	(137)	87	(667)
Loss on Cash Flow Hedges due to impairment of assets	$ (9)	$ 0	$ (13)	$ 0
Fair Value Hedging
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net	3	—	3	—
Fair Value Hedging | Other Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net	35	—	35	—
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	$ 10	$ (18)	$ 20	$ 28
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Contract [Member]
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	12	0	(81)	6
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency derivatives [Member]
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	7	(18)	(4)	22
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Gain Loss By Type Of Derivative Tables
Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings (not designated as hedging instruments)	$ (9)	$ 0	$ 105	$ 0
Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Fair Value Hedging
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net	(32)	—	(32)	—

Derivative Instruments and He_6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 638	$ 679

Financing Receivables (Details)

Financing Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	$ 111	$ 101
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss	119	110
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	8	9
Argentina [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	37	39
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss	45	48
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	8	9
Chile [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	44	31
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss	44	31
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	0	0
Other Entity [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing receivable	30	31
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss	30	31
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	0	$ 0
AES Gener
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Receivables	$ 65

Investments In and Advances T_2

Investments In and Advances To Affiliates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 2,700	$ 2,217		$ 5,335	$ 4,555
Operating margin (loss)		728	524		1,392	1,031
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business		$ 64	(27)		$ 59	(27)
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		10.00%			10.00%
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments		$ (10)	8		$ (40)	6
Contributions and loans to equity affiliates					$ 173	178
Qatar Investment Authority
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Sold		13.60%			13.60%
Qatar Investment Authority
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Purchase Price Agreement		$ 125
Majority Owned Affiliate [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Revenue					$ 1	1
Operating margin (loss)					(1)	(1)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest					(2)	(2)
Minority Owned Affiliates [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Revenue					726	939
Operating margin (loss)					12	153
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest					(93)	11
OPGC [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure				$ 152
Equity Method Investment OTTI			$ 158	$ 43		$ 201
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			49.00%			49.00%
sPower [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred					$ 104
Fluence [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		43.20%			43.20%			50.00%
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal (less than)		$ 61
Guacolda [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Purchase Price Agreement					$ 34
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage								50.00%
Equity Method Investment Long Lived Asset Impairment							$ 127
Contributions and loans to equity affiliates		$ 10
Grupo Energía Gas Panamá
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		49.00%			49.00%
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments		$ 21
Subsequent Event [Member] | Guacolda [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Amount Sold	$ 24

Debt - Recourse Debt (Details)

Debt - Recourse Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities				$ 998	$ 1,318
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (18)	$ (40)		$ (19)	(41)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt					(37)
Corporate and Other [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			$ 840
Corporate and Other [Member] | 3.95% Senior Notes due 2030 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 700			$ 700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.95%			3.95%
Corporate and Other [Member] | 3.30% Senior Notes due 2025 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes		$ 900			$ 900
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.30%			3.30%
Corporate and Other [Member] | 4.0% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Domain] [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%			4.00%
Corporate and Other [Member] | 4.5% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Domain] [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.50%			4.50%
Redeemed notes					$ 7
Corporate and Other [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.875%			4.875%
Corporate and Other [Member] | Liquidity [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			250
Repayments of Debt		$ 250
Corporate and Other [Member] | Other General [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities			$ 590

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrat

Debt - Non-Recourse Debt Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt				$ 700	$ 1,913
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (18)		$ (40)	$ (19)	(41)
DPL Subsidiary [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 4.125% Senior Notes due 2025 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes			$ 415		$ 415
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.125%		4.125%
DPL Subsidiary [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due 2021 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			7.25%		7.25%
Redeemed notes					$ 380
AES Tiete [Domain] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 0
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt					(2)
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 4.25% Senior Notes due 2030 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issued senior notes			$ 475		$ 475
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.25%		4.25%
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 3.45% Senior Notes due 2020 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.45%		3.45%
Redeemed notes					$ 405
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 65 Million Term Loan due 2020 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redeemed notes					$ 65
AES Brasil [Domain] | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt		$ 140
AES Andres | Nonrecourse Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt	300
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(274)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 14

Debt - Subsidiary Non-recourse

Debt - Subsidiary Non-recourse Debt in Default or Accelerated (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]
Debt Default Amount	$ 261
Materiality threshold for cash distribution from business to Parent	20.00%
Debt defaults at risk of causing cross default	0
Covenant Violation [Member] | AES Puerto Rico
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]
Debt Default Amount	$ 224
Net Assets	(205)
Covenant Violation [Member] | AES llumina [Member]
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]
Debt Default Amount	30
Net Assets	(24)
Covenant Violation [Member] | JORDAN
Nonrecourse Debt Default [Line Items]
Debt Default Amount	7	[1]
Net Assets	$ (4)	[1]
[1]	Subsidiary Primary Nature of Default Debt in Default Net Assets AES Puerto Rico Covenant $ 224 $ (205) AES Ilumina (Puerto Rico) Covenant 30 24 AES Jordan Solar Covenant 7 4 Total $ 261

Contingencies and Commitments_2

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)agreement
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
The range of expiration dates of guarantees made by the Parent Company	less than one year to no more than 15 years
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,164
Number of Agreements | agreement	120
Obligations Number Of Agreements | agreement	120
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 2,001
Number of Agreements	73
Obligations Number Of Agreements	73
Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 103
Number of Agreements	24
Obligations Number Of Agreements	24
Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 59
Number of Agreements	22
Obligations Number Of Agreements	22
Surety Bond
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 1
Number of Agreements	1
Obligations Number Of Agreements	1
Minimum [Member] | Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	0
Minimum [Member] | Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	1.00%
Letter of credit fee percentage paid	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 400
Maximum [Member] | Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	51
Maximum [Member] | Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	24
Maximum [Member] | Surety Bond
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 1
Maximum [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Schedule Of Contingent Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	3.00%
Letter of credit fee percentage paid	3.00%

Contingencies and Commitments -

Contingencies and Commitments - Loss Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021
Environmental Contingencies
Liability recorded for projected environmental remediation costs		$ 5	$ 3
AES Tiete [Domain]
Litigation Contingencies
Reversal of Cost of Goods	$ 6	184
AES Tiete [Domain] | Compensation from Concession Agreement
Litigation Contingencies
Other Intangible Assets, Net	$ 190	184
AES Tiete [Domain] | Compensation from Concession Agreement
Litigation Contingencies
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period			2 years 8 months 12 days
Litigation [Member]
Litigation Contingencies
Aggregate reserves for claims deemed both probable and reasonably estimable		$ 28	$ 41
Maximum [Member] | Litigation [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss			929
Maximum [Member] | Environmental Issue
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss			13
Minimum [Member] | Litigation [Member]
Environmental Contingencies
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss			$ 260

Leases Lessor (Details)

Leases Lessor (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income	$ 118	$ 153	$ 261		$ 288
Variable Lease, Income	25	23	39		34
Lease Income	93	$ 130	222		254
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, after Year Five	336		336
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Payments to be Received	428		428
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Five	21		21
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Four	21		21
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Three	20		20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year Two	20		20
Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, to be Received, Year One	10		10
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivables, Gross Difference, Amount [Abstract]
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable	223		223
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Undiscounted Excess Amount	(205)		(205)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One	240		240
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two	470		470
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three	406		406
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four	406		406
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five	406		406
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five	1,032		1,032
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	2,960		2,960
Operating Lease, Risk Strategy, Residual Asset	7,970		7,970			$ 8,472
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Profit (Loss)			13	[1]	$ 0
Sales-type Lease, Interest Income	4		8
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	2,476		2,476			3,103
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	2,476		2,476			3,103
Accumulated Amortization on PP&E
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	730		730			1,011
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	730		730			1,011
Assets
Lessor Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,746		1,746			2,092
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 1,746		1,746			$ 2,092
Distributed Energy [Member]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Profit (Loss)			$ (13)
[1]	Related to a loss recognized at commencement of a sales-type lease at AES Distributed Energy. See Note 9— Leases for further information.

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidia_3

Redeemable Stocks of Subsidiaries (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount		$ 1,149	$ 872
AIMco
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		25.00%
Colon [Domain]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount	[1]	$ 215	194
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. [Member]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount		618	618
IPL Subsidiary [Member]
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Preferred, Carrying Amount		60	60
Clean Energy
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Temporary Equity, Other Charges		81
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Common, Carrying Amount		$ 256	$ 0
[1]	Characteristics of quotas are similar to common stock.

Equity Equity Transactions with

Equity Equity Transactions with Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other		$ 6,000,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		$ 95,000,000	$ 0
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%	10.00%
AES Brasil [Domain]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	45.70%	45.70%
AES Gener
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	67.10%	67.10%
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership before Transaction	67.00%
AES Gener
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	1,980,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Subscribed but Unissued	1,350,000,000	1,350,000,000
Investment Owned, at Cost	$ 205,000,000	$ 205,000,000
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	94,000,000
Other Noncontrolling Interests	$ 629,000,000	629,000,000
AES Brasil [Domain]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent		0.016
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests		17,000,000
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)		13,000,000
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent		$ 7,000,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Guaimbe Solar Complex [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Description of Transaction	19.9
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction	$ 158,000,000
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction	36.30%
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership before Transaction	45.30%

Equity Accumulated Other Compre

Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			$ 57
Unfunded pension obligation, Net of Tax	$ (53)		(53)		$ (54)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, Net of Tax	(1,674)		(1,674)		(1,644)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(2,347)		(2,347)		(2,397)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			17
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	(620)		(620)		$ (699)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			40
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax	41	$ 15	(28)	$ (137)
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax	(149)	(21)	117	(437)
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax	0	$ 0	1	$ 0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			43
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			36
Total change in derivative fair value, net of income tax			79
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			1
Total pension adjustments, net of income tax			1
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(26)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			3
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax			(23)
Gener Subsidiary [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(7)		(7)
AES Brasil [Domain]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, Net of Tax	(7)		(7)
AES Brasil [Domain] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	0		0
AES Brasil [Domain] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Unfunded pension obligation, Net of Tax	$ 0		$ 0

Equity Reclassifications Out of

Equity Reclassifications Out of AOCL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated cost of sales	$ 1,972	$ 1,693	$ 3,943	$ 3,524
General and Administrative Expense	(45)	(40)	(91)	(78)
Other expense	(4)	(3)	(20)	(7)
Interest expense	237	218	427	451
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	64	(27)	59	(27)
Impairment expense			(1,345)	(208)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(130)	105	(121)	425
Income tax expense	(59)	113	(51)	202
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(10)	8	(40)	6
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(81)	0	(110)	229
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	4	3	4	3
Net income (loss)	(77)	3	(106)	232
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	28	(83)	(120)	61
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			40
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(23)	(93)	(40)	(119)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			3
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests	(3)	2	(3)	2
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(3)	2	(3)	2
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other expense	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(2)	(1)	(2)	(1)
Income tax expense	1	(1)	1	1
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-regulated revenue	0	(1)	0	(1)
Non-regulated cost of sales	(3)	2	(4)	1
Interest expense	(13)	(103)	(29)	(119)
Impairment expense	(9)	0	(13)	0
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(2)	0	(5)	(23)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	(27)	(102)	(51)	(142)
Income tax expense	6	25	13	33
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(5)	(1)	(11)	(1)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(26)	(78)	(49)	(110)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries	7	(17)	13	(11)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			36
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	(19)	(95)	(36)	(121)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			1
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (1)	$ 0

Equity Common Stock Dividends (

Equity Common Stock Dividends (Details) - $ / shares	Jul. 16, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 0.1505	$ 0.1505
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.1505		$ 0.1433
Subsequent Event [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.1505

Equity Units (Details)

Equity Units (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 04, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Equity Units Disclosure [Line Items]
Accretion Expense	$ 5
Equity Unit, Shares Issued	10,430,500
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	1,043,050
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	0.00%
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 100
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Interest Rate	6.875%
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares	57,215,465
Shares Issued, Price Per Share			$ 25.88
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Maximum Settlement Rate	3.864
Forward Contract Indexed to Equity, Settlement, Cash, Amount	$ 1,000
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Present Value of Interest Payments	$ 205
Preferred Shares Deliverable Upon Early Settlement of Purchase Contracts	85.00%
Corporate Unit, Notional Value	$ 1,043
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$ 1,043			$ 0
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Price	$ 31.70
Preferred Stock , Convertible, Initial Conversion Rate	$ 31.5428
Preferred Stock, Redemption Percentage	100.00%
Preferred Stock, Beneficial Ownership Interest in One Share	10.00%
Corporate Equity Unit, Stated Value per Share	$ 100
Issuance of preferred stock	$ 1,015	$ 0
Proceeds from Equity Units, net of underwriting costs and commissions, before offering expenses	$ 1,000

Segments (Details)

Segments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)segment	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 2,700	$ 2,217	$ 5,335	$ 4,555
Number of strategic business units | segment			4
Number of reportable segments | segment			4
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	303	238	$ 550	488
Reconciliation To Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes
Unrealized derivative losses (gains)	(8)	(14)	(77)	2
Unrealized foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	12	12	6	3
Disposition/acquisition losses (gains)	229	(29)	244	(30)
Impairment losses	(628)	(168)	(1,103)	(221)
Extinguishment of debt losses (gains)	(18)	(44)	(24)	(48)
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	(110)	0	(220)	0
Pretax contribution	0	(5)	(184)	194
Net equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(10)	8	(40)	6
Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(140)	118	23	237
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(130)	105	(121)	425
Assets
Total Assets	34,727		34,727		$ 34,603
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	(40)	(116)	(67)	(146)
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	15	11	25	7
US and Utilities [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	972	913	1,921	1,884
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	128	57	172	128
Assets
Total Assets	14,949		14,949		14,464
MCAC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	490	381	1,025	813
MCAC [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	490	381	1,025	813
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	71	66	132	144
Assets
Total Assets	4,610		4,610		4,847
EURASIA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	277	214	547	439
EURASIA [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	277	214	547	439
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	48	49	99	93
Assets
Total Assets	3,575		3,575		3,621
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	(3)	(2)	(6)	(4)
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	37	114	61	142
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	(55)	(85)	(62)	(143)
Assets
Total Assets	757		757		342
South American SBU
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	964	711	1,848	1,423
South American SBU | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	964	711	1,848	1,423
Adjusted PTC
Adjusted Pretax Contribution	96	$ 140	184	$ 259
Assets
Total Assets	$ 10,836		$ 10,836		$ 11,329

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 2,700	$ 2,217	$ 5,335		$ 4,555
Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	659	610	1,357		1,313
Other non-606 revenue	12	14	21		23
Revenue	671	624	1,378		1,336
Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	1,868	1,419	3,691		2,870
Other non-606 revenue	161	174	266	[1]	349	[1]
Revenue	2,029	1,593	3,957		3,219
US and Utilities [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	972	913	1,921		1,884
US and Utilities [Domain] | Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	659	610	1,357		1,313
Other non-606 revenue	12	14	21		23
Revenue	671	624	1,378		1,336
US and Utilities [Domain] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	232	201	456		364
Other non-606 revenue	69	88	87	[1]	184	[1]
Revenue	301	289	543		548
MCAC [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	490	381	1,025		813
MCAC [Member] | Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0		0
Other non-606 revenue	0	0	0		0
Revenue	0	0	0		0
MCAC [Member] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	465	356	975		764
Other non-606 revenue	25	25	50	[1]	49	[1]
Revenue	490	381	1,025		813
Eurasia - Generation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	277	214	547		439
Eurasia - Generation [Member] | Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0		0
Other non-606 revenue	0	0	0		0
Revenue	0	0	0		0
Eurasia - Generation [Member] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	215	156	424		327
Other non-606 revenue	62	58	123	[1]	112	[1]
Revenue	277	214	547		439
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(3)	(2)	(6)		(4)
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0		0
Other non-606 revenue	0	0	0		0
Revenue	0	0	0		0
Corporate Other And Other Eliminations [Member] | Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	(3)	(2)	(6)		(4)
Other non-606 revenue	0	0	0	[1]	0	[1]
Revenue	(3)	(2)	(6)		(4)
South American SBU
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	964	711	1,848		1,423
South American SBU | Regulated Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	0	0	0		0
Other non-606 revenue	0	0	0		0
Revenue	0	0	0		0
South American SBU | Non-regulated revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	959	708	1,842		1,419
Other non-606 revenue	5	3	6	[1]	4	[1]
Revenue	$ 964	$ 711	$ 1,848		$ 1,423
[1]	Other non-regulated revenue primarily includes lease and derivative revenue not accounted for under ASC 606.

Revenue Contract Balances (Deta

Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 111,000,000			$ 101,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	8,000,000			9,000,000
Contract with Customer, Liability	230,000,000			531,000,000
Contract with Customer, Liability	230,000,000			$ 531,000,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	355,000,000	$ 11,000,000
Mong Duong Subsidiary [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss	1,300,000,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	31,000,000
Mong Duong Subsidiary [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,200,000,000
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	85,000,000
Angamos [Member] | Minera Escondida and Minera Spence [Member]
Contract with Customer, Liability	56,000,000				$ 655,000,000
Contract with Customer, Liability	$ 56,000,000				$ 655,000,000
Angamos [Member] | Minera Escondida and Minera Spence [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization			$ 55,000,000

Revenue Remaining Performance O

Revenue Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021USD ($)
Remaining Performance Obligations [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 10

Other Income and Expense - Othe

Other Income and Expense - Other Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income [Line Items]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	$ 176	$ 36		$ 212	[1]	$ 0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets				(20)		40
Other Nonoperating Income	183		$ 9	226		54
Other Income [Member]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	1		0	1		43	[2]
Other income	6		9	13		11
Other Nonoperating Income	$ 183		$ 9	$ 226		$ 54
[1]	Related to the remeasurement of our existing equity interest in sPower’s development platform as part of the step acquisition to form AES Clean Energy Development. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information.
[2]	Primarily associated with the gain on sale of Redondo Beach land at Southland. See Note 17 —Held-for-Sale and Dispositions for further information.

Other Income and Expense - Ot_2

Other Income and Expense - Other Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020
Schedule of other expense [Line Items]
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Profit (Loss)				$ 13	[1]	$ 0
Other Nonoperating Expense	$ 0		$ 158	0		202
Other Expenses	4		3	20		7
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	176	$ 36		212	[2]	0
Other Expense [Member]
Schedule of other expense [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	4		1	7		2
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Cost (Credit)	0		1	0		1
Other Nonoperating Expense	0		1	0		4
Other Expenses	$ 4		$ 3	$ 20		$ 7
[1]	Related to a loss recognized at commencement of a sales-type lease at AES Distributed Energy. See Note 9— Leases for further information.
[2]	Related to the remeasurement of our existing equity interest in sPower’s development platform as part of the step acquisition to form AES Clean Energy Development. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information.

Asset Impairment Expense (Detai

Asset Impairment Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$ 872	$ 0	$ 1,345	$ 6
Other Asset Impairment Charges	872	0	1,345	6
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	1	0	(1)	6
AES Puerto Rico
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0	0	475	0
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring	73		73
AES Puerto Rico | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges			475
Mountain View Power Partners
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			67
Mountain View Power Partners | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	67	0	67	0
Angamos [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			155
Angamos [Member] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	155	0	155	0
Ventanas [Domain]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			649
Ventanas [Domain] | Long Lived Assets Held And Used [Member]
Asset Impairment Expense [Line Items]
Other Asset Impairment Charges	$ 649	$ 0	$ 649	$ 0

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	45.00%	108.00%	42.00%	48.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			21.00%
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates			$ 58	$ 44
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (59)	$ 113	(51)	202
Gener Subsidiary [Member]
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0
DPL Subsidiary [Member]
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		25		25
AES Mexico [Member]
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation				13
Clean Energy
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	39		46
AES Gener
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ 13		$ 21
Fluence [Member]
Income Tax Disclosures [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 13		$ 13

Held-for-Sale and Disposition_3

Held-for-Sale and Dispositions Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 08, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates					$ 58	$ 44
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of businesses interests		$ (64)		$ 27	$ (59)	27
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		10.00%			10.00%
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Itabo Opco [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates	$ 88
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Redondo Beach [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring				24		24
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets						41
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | AES Tiete Inova Solucoes
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates					$ 20
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Parent, before Income Tax		$ 20		23	$ 40	46
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Itabo Opco [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Ownership Interest Sold		43.00%			43.00%
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Mong Duong Subsidiary [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Parent, before Income Tax		$ 15		15	$ 30	30
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		$ 502			$ 502
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Ownership Interest Sold		51.00%			51.00%
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Estrella Del Mar I
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Parent, before Income Tax		$ 0		3	$ 0	6
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		16			16
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Jordan (IPP1 & IPP4)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Parent, before Income Tax			$ 5	5	10	10
Assets Carrying Amount Disclosure Nonrecurring		$ 150			150
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates					$ 58
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Ownership Interest Sold		26.00%			26.00%
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Mong Duong Financing SPV
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Ownership Interest Sold		51.00%			51.00%
Kazakhstan Hydro [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates							$ 75
Proceeds from Legal Settlements					$ 45
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Ownership Interest Sold								100.00%
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal						(30)
AES Tiete Inova Solucoes | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal					(1)
Itabo Opco [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Individually Significant Component Disposed of or Held-for-sale, Excluding Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Parent, before Income Tax		$ 1		$ 8	5	$ 19
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal					$ 4

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021		Jun. 30, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	$ 176	$ 36	$ 212	[1]	$ 0
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%		10.00%
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	$ 46	$ 81	$ 46
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Including Equity Interest in Acquiree Held Prior to Combination			$ 7
AIMco
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	25.00%		25.00%
Penonome Wind [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset Acquisition, Purchase Price					$ 80
sPower [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred			$ 104
Fluence [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	43.20%	50.00%	43.20%
Cajuina Wind Cpmplex
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset Acquisition, Purchase Price			$ 22
Cubico Wind Complex
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset Acquisition, Purchase Price			$ 109
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	75.00%		75.00%
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage	25.00%		25.00%
[1]	Related to the remeasurement of our existing equity interest in sPower’s development platform as part of the step acquisition to form AES Clean Energy Development. See Note 18 —Acquisitions for further information.

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units	$ 0	$ 0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	3,000	0
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Restricted Stock Units, per diluted share	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock , Convertible, Initial Conversion Rate	31.5428		$ 31.5428
Preferred Stock, Convertible, Conversion Price	$ 31.70		$ 31.70
Corporate Unit, Notional Value	$ 1,043		$ 1,043
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	1,043		1,043		$ 0
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Income)	$ 24	$ (86)	$ (124)	$ 58
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Shares)	666,000	665,000	666,000	665,000
Income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders (Per Share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.13)	$ (0.19)	$ 0.09
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units	$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock units (Shares)	3,000	0
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Restricted Stock Units, per diluted share	$ 0	$ 0
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income from continuing operations, diluted	$ 24	$ (86)	$ (124)	$ 58
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted	670,000	665,000	666,000	668,000
Income from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ 0.03	$ (0.13)	$ (0.19)	$ 0.09
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units			$ 0	$ 0
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Stock Options, per diluted share			$ 0	$ 0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements			0	1,000
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units			$ 0	$ 0
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Stock Options, per diluted share			$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock units (Shares)			0	1,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units			$ 0	$ 0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements			0	2,000
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Restricted Stock Units, per diluted share			$ 0	$ 0
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units			$ 0	$ 0
Restricted stock units (Shares)			0	2,000
Dilutive Securities Effect On Basic EPS, dilutive Restricted Stock Units, per diluted share			$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,000	5,000	6,000	2,000
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		2,000	4,000

Risks and Uncertainties (Detail

Risks and Uncertainties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Unusual Risk or Uncertainty [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,110	$ 1,061
Debt Default Amount	261
Investments in and advances to affiliates	793	$ 835
AES llumina [Member] | Covenant Violation [Member]
Unusual Risk or Uncertainty [Line Items]
Debt Default Amount	$ 30

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 29, 2021	Jul. 15, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 19, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates			$ 58	$ 44
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			10.00%
Guacolda [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage						50.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issued senior notes					$ 800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					1.375%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 1.375% Senior Notes due 2026 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issued senior notes					$ 800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					1.375%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issued senior notes					$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					2.45%
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2.45% Senior Notes due 2031 [Domain] | Senior Notes [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issued senior notes					$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage					2.45%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Global Infrastructure Partners
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		49.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Chile Renovables SpA
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions		51.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Chile Renovables SpA | Global Infrastructure Partners
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Unbilled Contracts Receivable		$ 441
Subsequent Event [Member] | Chile Renovables SpA | Global Infrastructure Partners | Los Cururos [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Sale of Interest in Partnership Unit	$ 53