Exhibit 23

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We  consent  to  the   incorporation  by  reference  in  The  AES  Corporation's
Registration  Statement  No.  33-44498 on Form S-8,  Registration  Statement No.
33-49262  on Form  S-8,  Registration  Statement  No.  333-26225  on  Form  S-8,
Registration  Statement No.  333-28883 on Form S-8,  Registration  Statement No.
333-28885  on Form  S-8,  Registration  Statement  No.  333-38535  on Form  S-8,
Registration  Statement  No.  33-95406 on Form S-3,  Registration  Statement No.
333-39857 on Form S-3,  Registration  Statement  No.  333-46189 on Form S-3, and
Registration Statement No. 333-44845 on Form S-4 of our report dated January 28,
1998,  except for Note 16, as to which the date is February 10, 1998,  appearing
in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of The AES  Corporation  for the year ended
December 31, 1997.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Washington, DC
March 30, 1998