Exhibit 23.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
The AES Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated January 29, 2001 (May 23,
2001 as to Note 20), relating to the consolidated financial statements of The
AES Corporation, appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K of The AES
Corporation dated June 5, 2001, and to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of our report dated January 25, 2001 (March 27, 2001 as to footnote
1), relating to the consolidated financial statements of IPALCO Enterprises,
Inc., appearing in the current Report on Form 8-K of The AES Corporation dated
June 8, 2001.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


McLean, Virginia
June 29, 2001