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. 33-95046 on Form S-3, and Registration Statement No.
333-39857  on Form S-3, of our report dated  February 4, 1999  appearing in this
Current Report on Form 8-K of The AES Corporation dated March 18, 1999.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Washington, DC
March 18, 1999