EXHIBIT 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of The AES Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated January 30, 1997,  except
for the penultimate paragraph of Note 6, as to which the date is March 13, 1997,
the pre-penultimate paragraph of Note 6, as to which the date is August 8, 1997,
the subsequent event paragraph of Note 7, as to which the date is July 15, 1997,
and Note  13,  as to  which  the date is  October  27,  1997,  appearing  in the
Company's  Current  Report on Form  8-K,  dated  November  6,  1997,  and to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus,  which is part of
this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------
Washington, DC
February 12, 1998