$AES
AES CORP Stock $aes

$aes Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2018 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087476119000012 Filed on February 27, 2019

Income Statement

Concept	2018	2017 Q4	2017 Q3
Revenue	$10.74B	$2.643B	$2.693B
YoY Change	1.96%	-0.64%	2.05%
Cost Of Revenue	$8.163B	$1.999B	$2.053B
YoY Change	1.22%	-640.27%	-28.07%
Gross Profit	$2.573B	$645.0M	$640.0M
YoY Change	4.38%	2.06%	-7.38%
Gross Profit Margin	23.97%	24.4%	23.77%
Selling, General & Admin	$192.0M	$60.00M	$52.00M
YoY Change	-10.7%	1.69%	30.0%
% of Gross Profit	7.46%	9.3%	8.13%
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization	$960.0M	$285.0M	$303.0M
YoY Change	-4.48%	-4.68%	4.12%
% of Gross Profit	37.31%	44.19%	47.34%
Operating Expenses	$184.0M	$46.00M	$37.00M
YoY Change	10.84%	-48.31%	68.18%
Operating Profit	$2.389B	$599.0M	$603.0M
YoY Change	3.91%	10.31%	-9.87%
Interest Expense	$1.056B	-$226.0M	$297.0M
YoY Change	-9.74%	-185.93%	-16.1%
% of Operating Profit	44.2%	-37.73%	49.25%
Other Income/Expense, Net	$58.00M		$36.00M
YoY Change	0.0%		176.92%
Pretax Income	-$509.0M	$84.00M	$112.0M
YoY Change	-2.3%	-132.56%	36.59%
Income Tax	$708.0M	$705.0M	$93.00M
% Of Pretax Income		839.29%	83.04%
Net Earnings	$1.203B	-$1.342B	$152.0M
YoY Change	-203.62%	41.41%	-13.14%
Net Earnings / Revenue	11.21%	-50.78%	5.64%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.82	-$2.03	$0.23
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.81	-$2.03	$0.23
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	662.0M shares		660.0M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	665.0M shares		663.0M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2018	2017 Q4	2017 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$1.479B	$1.373B	$1.961B
YoY Change	7.72%	-22.6%	2.08%
Cash & Equivalents	$1.166B	$949.0M	$1.398B
Short-Term Investments	$313.0M	$424.0M	$563.0M
Other Short-Term Assets	$1.364B	$630.0M	$1.080B
YoY Change	-54.53%	-4.11%	-14.69%
Inventory	$577.0M	$562.0M	$660.0M
Prepaid Expenses		$62.00M	$89.00M
Receivables	$1.595B	$1.463B	$2.357B
Other Receivables	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total Short-Term Assets	$5.015B	$6.398B	$6.660B
YoY Change	-21.62%	-0.28%	-8.69%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$21.40B	$20.30B	$24.36B
YoY Change	5.42%	-0.58%	4.61%
Goodwill		$1.059B	$1.157B
YoY Change		-8.47%	0.0%
Intangibles		$366.0M	$474.0M
YoY Change		27.53%	108.81%
Long-Term Investments	$1.114B	$1.197B	$1.164B
YoY Change	-6.93%	92.75%	85.94%
Other Assets	$2.078B	$1.741B	$2.095B
YoY Change	-14.7%	-1.92%	9.74%
Total Long-Term Assets	$27.51B	$26.71B	$32.17B
YoY Change	2.96%	-10.08%	7.92%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$5.015B	$6.398B	$6.660B
Total Long-Term Assets	$27.51B	$26.71B	$32.17B
Total Assets	$32.52B	$33.11B	$38.83B
YoY Change	-1.78%	-8.34%	4.65%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$1.329B	$1.371B	$2.091B
YoY Change	-3.06%	10.74%	46.63%
Accrued Expenses	$1.352B	$980.0M	$2.020B
YoY Change	8.25%	-12.26%	-0.3%
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$1.659B	$2.164B	$2.257B
YoY Change	-23.34%	105.7%	106.87%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.399B	$6.028B	$6.736B
YoY Change	-27.02%	14.23%	17.91%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$17.64B	$17.80B	$19.78B
YoY Change	-0.93%	-3.27%	0.18%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$2.723B	$2.595B	$3.047B
YoY Change	4.93%	11.52%	0.4%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$20.36B	$21.40B	$24.95B
YoY Change	-0.18%	-12.16%	0.4%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.399B	$6.028B	$6.736B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$20.36B	$21.40B	$24.95B
Total Liabilities	$29.31B	$27.43B	$31.69B
YoY Change	-4.35%	-7.46%	3.67%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings		-$2.276B	-$934.0M
YoY Change		98.6%	719.3%
Common Stock		$8.000M	$8.000M
YoY Change		0.0%	0.0%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)		$1.892B	$1.892B
YoY Change		-0.63%	-0.63%
Treasury Stock Shares		155.9M shares	155.9M shares
Shareholders Equity	$3.208B	$2.465B	$3.186B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$32.52B	$33.11B	$38.83B
YoY Change	-1.78%	-8.34%	4.65%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2018	2017 Q4	2017 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$1.203B	-$1.342B	$152.0M
YoY Change	-203.62%	41.41%	-13.14%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$960.0M	$285.0M	$303.0M
YoY Change	-4.48%	-4.68%	4.12%
Cash From Operating Activities	$2.343B	$782.0M	$647.0M
YoY Change	-6.43%	17.24%	-21.0%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	$2.121B	-$590.0M	-$464.0M
YoY Change	-2.57%	2.61%	-9.9%
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	$101.0M	-$54.00M	-$395.0M
YoY Change	31.17%	-117.53%	1310.71%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$505.0M	-$644.0M	-$859.0M
YoY Change	-80.57%	141.2%	58.2%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net	$0.00
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-$1.643B	-635.0M	614.0M
YoY Change	-3920.93%	29.86%	-385.58%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	$2.343B	782.0M	647.0M
Cash From Investing Activities	-$505.0M	-644.0M	-859.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	-$1.643B	-635.0M	614.0M
Net Change In Cash	$215.0M	-497.0M	402.0M
YoY Change	-225.0%	458.43%	559.02%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$2.343B	$782.0M	$647.0M
Capital Expenditures	$2.121B	-$590.0M	-$464.0M
Free Cash Flow	$222.0M	$1.372B	$1.111B
YoY Change	-32.11%	10.47%	-16.72%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2017Q4	aes	Service Concession Asset Accumulated Depreciation ServiceConcessionAssetAccumulatedDepreciation	206000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Service Concession Asset Accumulated Depreciation ServiceConcessionAssetAccumulatedDepreciation	0	USD
CY2018	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2018	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2018	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2018	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2018
CY2018	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000874761
CY2018	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2018	dei	Entity Emerging Growth Company EntityEmergingGrowthCompany	false
CY2018	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2018	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	AES CORP
CY2018	dei	Entity Shell Company EntityShellCompany	false
CY2018	dei	Entity Small Business EntitySmallBusiness	false
CY2018	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2018	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2018	dei	Trading Symbol TradingSymbol	AES
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent	10000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent	23000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid	0.13
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid	0.13
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid	0.13
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	1200000000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	1200000000	shares
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	816312913	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	817203691	shares
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	660388128	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	662298096	shares
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod	229000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod	-21000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod	-2000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperation	266000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperation	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Income Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperation	-44000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	106000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	6000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	1000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	1000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	17000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodTax	2000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationTax	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	-6000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	-1000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Benefit Plan Improvement Tax Effect OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBenefitPlanImprovementTaxEffect	1000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesTax	-8000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesTax	-1000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesTax	-24000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossTax	-3000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossTax	-135000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossTax	-2000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTax	-7000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTax	10000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTax	27000000	USD
CY2018	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2018	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2018-12-31
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	13.05	USD
CY2017Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	8630000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
CY2019Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	662358244	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	1166000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	949000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	370000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	274000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Investments ShortTermInvestments	313000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Short Term Investments ShortTermInvestments	424000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	1595000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Receivable Net Current AccountsReceivableNetCurrent	1463000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	577000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	562000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current PrepaidExpenseCurrent	130000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense Current PrepaidExpenseCurrent	62000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	807000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	630000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	57000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	2034000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	5015000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	6398000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Land Land	449000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Land Land	502000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Other PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOther	25242000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Other PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOther	24119000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	8227000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	7942000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Construction In Progress Gross ConstructionInProgressGross	3932000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Construction In Progress Gross ConstructionInProgressGross	3617000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	21396000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	20296000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	1114000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	1197000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Debt Service Reserves And Other Deposits DebtServiceReservesAndOtherDeposits	467000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Debt Service Reserves And Other Deposits DebtServiceReservesAndOtherDeposits	565000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1059000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1059000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	436000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	366000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	97000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	130000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Service Concession Assets ServiceConcessionAssets	0	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Service Concession Assets ServiceConcessionAssets	1360000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	1423000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	1514000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	1741000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Assets Noncurrent Excluding Property Plant And Equipment AssetsNoncurrentExcludingPropertyPlantAndEquipment	6110000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Assets Noncurrent Excluding Property Plant And Equipment AssetsNoncurrentExcludingPropertyPlantAndEquipment	6418000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	32521000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	33112000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	1329000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	1371000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Interest Payable Current InterestPayableCurrent	191000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Interest Payable Current InterestPayableCurrent	228000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Taxes Other Than Income Taxes Current AccrualForTaxesOtherThanIncomeTaxesCurrent	250000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accrual For Taxes Other Than Income Taxes Current AccrualForTaxesOtherThanIncomeTaxesCurrent	252000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	962000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	980000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Current NonRecourseDebtCurrent	1659000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Current NonRecourseDebtCurrent	2164000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	8000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent	1033000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	4399000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	6028000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Non Current RecourseDebtNonCurrent	3650000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Non Current RecourseDebtNonCurrent	4625000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Non Current NonRecourseDebtNonCurrent	13986000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Non Current NonRecourseDebtNonCurrent	13176000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent	1280000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent	1006000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	2723000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	2595000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Noncurrent LiabilitiesNoncurrent	21639000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Noncurrent LiabilitiesNoncurrent	21402000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Equity Carrying Amount RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount	879000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Equity Carrying Amount RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount	837000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	8000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	8000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	8154000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital AdditionalPaidInCapital	8501000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-1005000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-2276000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2071000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1876000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	1878000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value TreasuryStockValue	1892000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	3208000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	2465000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	2396000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	2380000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	5604000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	4845000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	32521000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	33112000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10736000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10530000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10281000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	8163000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	8065000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	7898000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2573000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2465000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2383000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	192000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	215000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	194000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1056000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1170000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1134000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	310000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	244000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	245000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-188000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-68000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-13000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	58000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	58000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	80000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	72000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	120000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	64000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	984000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	-52000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	39000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	29000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	208000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	537000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	1096000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-72000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	42000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-15000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Expense OtherNonoperatingExpense	147000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Expense OtherNonoperatingExpense	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Expense OtherNonoperatingExpense	2000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2018000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	771000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	187000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	708000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	990000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	32000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	71000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	36000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	1349000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-148000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	191000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax	-9000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax	-18000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax	151000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax	225000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax	-611000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationNetOfTax	-1119000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1565000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Attributable To Noncontrolling Entity IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingEntity	-364000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Attributable To Noncontrolling Entity IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingEntity	-359000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Attributable To Noncontrolling Entity IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingEntity	-211000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-2000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	25000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	142000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1203000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1161000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1130000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	985000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-0.77
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-507000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-20000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	218000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-654000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-1110000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1161000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1130000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.49
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-0.77
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-0.04
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.33
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.99
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-1.68
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.82
CY2017	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-1.76
CY2016	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-1.72
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.48
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-0.04
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.33
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.99
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-1.68
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.81
CY2017	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	-1.76
CY2016	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	-1.72
CY2018	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.53
CY2017	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.49
CY2016	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.45
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1565000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-161000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-9000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	189000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	21000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	-643000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Realized Upon Sale Or Liquidation Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIRealizedUponSaleOrLiquidationNetOfTax	-992000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-182000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	634000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	1181000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-67000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-12000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax	-93000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax	-50000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci On Derivatives Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax	-37000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax	26000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax	38000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax	42000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	2000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-2000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Costs Credit Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlanNetPriorServiceCostsCreditArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-11000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-21000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Net Unamortized Gain Loss Arising During Period Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax	-208000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax	-8000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax	-266000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From Aoci Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans For Net Gain Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansForNetGainLossNetOfTax	-10000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-5000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	-247000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax	187000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-151000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	919000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	1036000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	1414000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	142000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	259000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	425000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	390000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	262000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	989000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	-248000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	-3000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1565000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-777000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1003000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1169000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1176000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	984000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	-52000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	29000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Asset Impairment Charges AssetImpairmentCharges	355000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Asset Impairment Charges AssetImpairmentCharges	537000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	68000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	20000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets1 GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1	-27000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets1 GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1	-43000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets1 GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1	-38000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	269000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Asset Impairment Charges AssetImpairmentCharges	1098000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	313000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	672000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-793000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Period Increase Decrease LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease	14000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Period Increase Decrease LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease	34000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Carrying Value Period Increase Decrease LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease	48000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Operating Activities Cash Flow Statement OtherOperatingActivitiesCashFlowStatement	188000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	-611000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sales Of Assets And Asset Impairment Charges GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges	-1383000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-317000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-160000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-180000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	206000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	177000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	-237000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	36000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	28000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	-42000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	22000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-107000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-870000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	32000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	295000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets	251000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities	62000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities	163000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities	-619000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Increase Decrease In Income Tax And Other Tax Payables Net IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxAndOtherTaxPayablesNet	-7000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Increase Decrease In Income Tax And Other Tax Payables Net IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxAndOtherTaxPayablesNet	53000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Increase Decrease In Income Tax And Other Tax Payables Net IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxAndOtherTaxPayablesNet	-199000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	55000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	112000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	473000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	2343000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	2504000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	2897000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	2121000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	2177000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	2345000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	66000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	609000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses And Interest In Affiliates PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates	52000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses And Interests In Affiliates ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates	2020000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses And Interests In Affiliates ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates	108000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses And Interests In Affiliates ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesAndInterestsInAffiliates	538000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	1302000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	3540000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments ProceedsFromSaleOfShortTermInvestments	4904000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments	1411000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments	3310000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Short Term Investments PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments	5151000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Advance To Affiliate PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate	145000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments For Advance To Affiliate PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate	89000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments For Advance To Affiliate PaymentsForAdvanceToAffiliate	6000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	84000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	62000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	24000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-505000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-2599000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-2136000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	1865000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	2156000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Repayments Of Lines Of Credit ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	1465000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	2238000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	1742000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	1433000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Issuance Of Recourse Debt IssuanceOfRecourseDebt	1000000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Issuance Of Recourse Debt IssuanceOfRecourseDebt	1025000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Issuance Of Recourse Debt IssuanceOfRecourseDebt	500000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Repayments Of Recourse Debt RepaymentsOfRecourseDebt	1933000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Repayments Of Recourse Debt RepaymentsOfRecourseDebt	1353000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Repayments Of Recourse Debt RepaymentsOfRecourseDebt	808000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfNonrecourseDebt	1928000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfNonrecourseDebt	3222000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Redeemable Preferred Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfRedeemablePreferredStock	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Redeemable Preferred Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfRedeemablePreferredStock	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Redeemable Preferred Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfRedeemablePreferredStock	134000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Proceeds From Issuance Of Nonrecourse Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfNonrecourseDebt	2978000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Repayments Of Nonrecourse Debt RepaymentsOfNonrecourseDebt	1411000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Repayments Of Nonrecourse Debt RepaymentsOfNonrecourseDebt	2360000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Repayments Of Nonrecourse Debt RepaymentsOfNonrecourseDebt	2666000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Financing Costs PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	39000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments Of Financing Costs PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	100000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments Of Financing Costs PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	105000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Minority Shareholders PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	340000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Minority Shareholders PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	424000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments To Minority Shareholders PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	476000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Minority Shareholders ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders	43000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Minority Shareholders ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders	73000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Minority Shareholders ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders	190000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	344000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	317000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends Common Stock PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	290000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Payments For Financed Capital Expenditures PaymentsForFinancedCapitalExpenditures	275000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Payments For Financed Capital Expenditures PaymentsForFinancedCapitalExpenditures	179000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Payments For Financed Capital Expenditures PaymentsForFinancedCapitalExpenditures	113000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	79000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Proceedsfrom Saleof Ownership Interests ProceedsfromSaleofOwnershipInterests	0	USD
CY2017	aes	Proceedsfrom Saleof Ownership Interests ProceedsfromSaleofOwnershipInterests	94000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Proceedsfrom Saleof Ownership Interests ProceedsfromSaleofOwnershipInterests	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	101000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-52000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-44000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-1643000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	43000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-747000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	-54000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	8000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashAndCashEquivalents	37000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Net Cash Change Of Discontinued And Held For Sale Businesses NetCashChangeOfDiscontinuedAndHeldForSaleBusinesses	74000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Net Cash Change Of Discontinued And Held For Sale Businesses NetCashChangeOfDiscontinuedAndHeldForSaleBusinesses	-128000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Net Cash Change Of Discontinued And Held For Sale Businesses NetCashChangeOfDiscontinuedAndHeldForSaleBusinesses	-42000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	215000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	-172000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	9000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1788000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1960000000	USD
CY2015Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1951000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	2003000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1788000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1960000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	1003000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	1196000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	1273000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	370000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	377000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	487000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Value Of Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1	16000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Value Of Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Value Of Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Debt Assumed1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1	119000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Debt Assumed1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Debt Assumed1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Dividends Payable Current And Noncurrent DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	90000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Dividends Payable Current And Noncurrent DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	86000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Dividends Payable Current And Noncurrent DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent	174000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Non Cash Restructuringand Recapitalization NonCashRestructuringandRecapitalization	0	USD
CY2017	aes	Non Cash Restructuringand Recapitalization NonCashRestructuringandRecapitalization	279000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Non Cash Restructuringand Recapitalization NonCashRestructuringandRecapitalization	0	USD
CY2018	aes	Non Cash Long Term Receivables NonCashLongTermReceivables	0	USD
CY2017	aes	Non Cash Long Term Receivables NonCashLongTermReceivables	75000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Non Cash Long Term Receivables NonCashLongTermReceivables	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	USE OF ESTIMATES — US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the asset and liability balances reported as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: the carrying amount and estimated useful lives of long-lived assets; asset retirement obligations; impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and equity method investments; valuation allowances for receivables and deferred tax assets; the recoverability of regulatory assets; regulatory liabilities; the fair value of financial instruments; the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired as business combinations or as asset acquisitions by variable interest entities; the measurement of equity method investments or noncontrolling interest using the HLBV method for certain renewable generation partnerships; the determination of whether a sale of noncontrolling interests is considered to be a sale of in-substance real estate (as opposed to an equity transaction); pension liabilities; environmental liabilities; the impact of U.S. tax reform; and potential litigation claims and settlements.
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	1166000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	949000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	370000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	274000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Debt Service Reserves And Other Deposits DebtServiceReservesAndOtherDeposits	467000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Debt Service Reserves And Other Deposits DebtServiceReservesAndOtherDeposits	565000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	2003000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1788000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Service Concession Assets ServiceConcessionAssets	1360000000	USD
CY2018Q1	aes	Service Concession Assets ServiceConcessionAssets	0	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	630000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	691000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	130000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	106000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	1490000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-2276000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-2209000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1876000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1857000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	2380000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	2461000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Current OtherAssetsCurrent	807000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent	97000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Service Concession Assets ServiceConcessionAssets	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	1423000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	32521000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-1005000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2071000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Minority Interest MinorityInterest	2396000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	32521000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10736000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	8163000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	2573000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	310000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	72000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2018000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	1349000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1565000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1203000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted DescriptionOfNewAccountingPronouncementsNotYetAdopted	New Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Effective <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">— </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">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 </span><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">be either not applicable or are expected to have no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-indent:0px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:95.51656920077973%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="4"/></tr><tr><td style="width:20%;"/><td style="width:48%;"/><td style="width:13%;"/><td style="width:19%;"/></tr><tr><td colspan="4" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:7pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">ASU Number and Name</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Adoption</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Effect on the financial statements upon adoption</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">2018-02, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from AOCI</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">This amendment allows a reclassification of the stranded tax effects resulting from the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from AOCI to retained earnings. Because this amendment only relates to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected.</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.<br/></span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The Company does not expect any impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption of the standard on January 1, 2019.</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The standard updates the hedge accounting model to expand the ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components, reduce complexity, and ease certain documentation and assessment requirements. When facts and circumstances are the same as at the previous quantitative test, a subsequent quantitative effectiveness test is not required. The standard also eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. For cash flow hedges, this means that the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument will be recorded in other comprehensive income and amounts deferred will be reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line as the hedged item in the period in which it settles.</span></div><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;"><br/></span></div><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">Transition method: modified retrospective with the cumulative effect adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the initial application date. Prospective for presentation and disclosures. </span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.<br/></span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.<br/></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The standard updates the impairment model for financial assets measured at amortized cost. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses as it is done today, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance rather than a reduction in the amortized cost of the securities.</span></div><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;"><br/></span></div><div style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">Transition method: various.</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted only as of January 1, 2019.</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">2016-02, 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, 2018-20 Leases (Topic 842)</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">See discussion of the ASU below.</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.</span></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">The Company will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019; see below for the evaluation of the impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial statements.</span></div></td></tr></table></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br/></span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:30px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">ASU 2016-02 and its subsequent corresponding updates require lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases, and recognize expenses in a manner similar to the current accounting method. For lessors, the guidance modifies the lease classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The guidance also eliminates current real estate-specific provisions.</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:30px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. The FASB has provided an optional transition method, which the Company has elected, that allows entities to continue to apply the guidance in ASC 840 Leases to the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. Under this transition method, the Company will apply the transition provisions starting on January 1, 2019. </span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:30px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The Company has elected to apply a package of practical expedients that allow lessees and lessors not to reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (3) whether initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases qualify for capitalization under ASC 842. These three practical expedients must be elected as a package and must be consistently applied to all leases. The Company has also elected to apply an optional transition practical expedient for land easements that allows an entity to continue applying its current accounting policy for all land easements that exist before the standard’s effective date that were not previously accounted for under ASC 840.</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:30px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The Company established a task force focused on the identification of contracts that are under the scope of the new standard and the assessment and measurement of their corresponding right-of-use assets and related liabilities. Additionally, the implementation team has been working on the configuration of a lease accounting tool that will support the implementation and the subsequent accounting. The implementation team has also evaluated </span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:30px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Under ASC 842, it is expected that fewer contracts will contain a lease. However, due to the elimination of the real estate-specific guidance and changes to certain lessor classification criteria, more leases will qualify as sales-type leases and direct financing leases. Under these two models, a lessor will derecognize the asset and will recognize a lease receivable. According to ASC 842, the lease receivable includes the fair value of the plant after the contract period but does not include any variable payments such as margin on the sale of energy. Therefore, the lease receivable could be significantly different than the carrying amount of the underlying asset at lease commencement. In such circumstances, the difference between the initially recognized lease receivable and the carrying amount of the underlying asset is recognized as a gain/loss at lease commencement.</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The primary expected impact as of the effective date is the recognition of approximately </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><span>$300 million</span></span> of lease liabilities and the corresponding right of use assets for all contracts that contain an operating lease and for which the Company is the lessee. In addition, the Company expects to reclassify various account balances to different line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheet to reflect the new presentation requirements. Consolidated Statement of Operations presentation and the expense recognition pattern are not expected to change for lessees.
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Supplies Net Of Reserves InventorySuppliesNetOfReserves	278000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	577000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	562000000	USD
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Other PropertyPlantAndEquipmentOther	24119000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense	18000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimate	24000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimate	25000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Asset Retirement Obligation Other AssetRetirementObligationOther	0	USD
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation AssetRetirementObligation	368000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimate	24000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations Recurring Basis Liability Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue	257000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Fair Value Net Derivative Asset Liability Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Period Increase Decrease FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-13000000	USD
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CY2017	aes	Fair Value Measurements With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Regulatory Assets Liabilities FairValueMeasurementsWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisRegulatoryAssetsLiabilities	10000000	USD
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CY2017	us-gaap	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Liability Transfers Into Level3 FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3	4000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Transfers Out Of Level3 FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3	20000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Net Derivative Asset Liability Measured On Recurring Basis With Unobservable Inputs FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs	93000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Fair Value Net Derivative Asset Liability Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Period Increase Decrease FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-7000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Assets Liabilities Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetsLiabilitiesValue	63000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	144000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	262000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	348000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	257000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	315000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Current DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent	51000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets Current DerivativeAssetsCurrent	84000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Current DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent	211000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets Noncurrent DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent	187000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Noncurrent DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent	206000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets Noncurrent DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent	264000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Liabilities Noncurrent DerivativeLiabilitiesNoncurrent	104000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	262000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	257000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	348000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	315000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Net NotesReceivableNet	116000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Notes Receivable Net NotesReceivableNet	194000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Numberof Foninvemem Agreements NumberofFoninvememAgreements	3	agreement
CY2017	aes	Foninvemem Agreement Collection Period FoninvememAgreementCollectionPeriod	P10Y
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CY2018	us-gaap	Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	144000000	USD
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1059000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1059000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	aes	Indefinitelivedintangibleassets Amortization IndefinitelivedintangibleassetsAmortization	0	USD
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	366000000	USD
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CY2017	us-gaap	Finitelived Intangible Assets Acquired1 FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1	112000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Two FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	40000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Three FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree	29000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Four FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour	23000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Five FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive	17000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	47000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Amortization Of Intangible Assets AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	34000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets Current RegulatoryAssetsCurrent	156000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets Current RegulatoryAssetsCurrent	119000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Remaining Recovery Period Of Regulatory Assets For Which No Return On Investment During Recovery Period Is Provided1 RemainingRecoveryPeriodOfRegulatoryAssetsForWhichNoReturnOnInvestmentDuringRecoveryPeriodIsProvided1	P8Y
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets Noncurrent RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent	547000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets Noncurrent RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent	542000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets RegulatoryAssets	703000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Assets RegulatoryAssets	661000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Remaining Recovery Periodof Regulatory Liabilities RemainingRecoveryPeriodofRegulatoryLiabilities	P1Y
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liability Current RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent	86000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liability Current RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent	17000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liability Noncurrent RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent	1146000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liability Noncurrent RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent	1079000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liabilities RegulatoryLiabilities	1232000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Regulatory Liabilities RegulatoryLiabilities	1096000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium And Debt Issuance Costs Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet	-368000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium And Debt Issuance Costs Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet	-394000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Non Recourse Debt NonRecourseDebt	15645000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Non Recourse Debt NonRecourseDebt	15340000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Current NonRecourseDebtCurrent	1659000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Current NonRecourseDebtCurrent	2164000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Non Current NonRecourseDebtNonCurrent	13986000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Non Recourse Debt Non Current NonRecourseDebtNonCurrent	13176000000	USD
CY2018Q4	invest	Derivative Notional Amount DerivativeNotionalAmount	3900000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Interest Rate Swaps Range Of Interest Rates Fixed Minimum InterestRateSwapsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMinimum	0.0224
CY2018Q4	aes	Interest Rate Swaps Range Of Interest Rates Fixed Maximum InterestRateSwapsRangeOfInterestRatesFixedMaximum	0.0800
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium And Debt Issuance Costs Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet	-368000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Non Recourse Debt NonRecourseDebt	15645000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Construction Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity ConstructionLineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	811000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Other Line Of Credit Facility Remaining Borrowing Capacity OtherLineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity	1800000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Restricted Cash And Debt Service Reserves RestrictedCashAndDebtServiceReserves	627000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Restricted Cash And Debt Service Reserves RestrictedCashAndDebtServiceReserves	642000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Restricted Net Assets RestrictedNetAssets	2900000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Debt Default Amount DebtDefaultAmount	351000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Materialitythresholdforcashdistributionfrombusinessto Parent MaterialitythresholdforcashdistributionfrombusinesstoParent	0.20
CY2018Q4	aes	Debtdefaultsatriskofcausingcrossdefault Debtdefaultsatriskofcausingcrossdefault	0
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Total RecourseDebtTotal	3655000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Total RecourseDebtTotal	4630000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Current RecourseDebtCurrent	5000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Current RecourseDebtCurrent	5000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Non Current RecourseDebtNonCurrent	3650000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Non Current RecourseDebtNonCurrent	4625000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	25000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Total RecourseDebtTotal	3655000000	USD
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Issued By Special Purpose Business Trust TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrust	10350000	security
CY1999Q4	aes	Current Redemption Value Of Term Convertible Preferred Securities Issued By Special Purpose Business Trust CurrentRedemptionValueOfTermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrust	50
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Issued By Special Purpose Business Trust Par Per Share TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrustParPerShare	0.844
	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Issued By Special Purpose Business Trust Total Proceeds TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrustTotalProceeds	517000000	USD
CY1999Q4	aes	Junior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Purchased With Proceeds Fromissuance Of Term Convertible Preferred Securities JuniorSubordinatedConvertibleDebenturesPurchasedWithProceedsFromissuanceOfTermConvertiblePreferredSecurities	517000000	USD
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Dividend Rate TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesDividendRate	0.0675
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Dividend Rate TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesDividendRate	0.0675
CY1999Q4	aes	Current Redemption Value Of Term Convertible Preferred Securities Issued By Special Purpose Business Trust CurrentRedemptionValueOfTermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesIssuedBySpecialPurposeBusinessTrust	50
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Dividend Rate TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesDividendRate	0.0675
CY1999Q4	aes	Term Convertible Preferred Securities Dividend Rate TermConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesDividendRate	0.0675
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	51000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	61000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Operating Lease Expense OperatingLeaseExpense	61000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leased Assets Gross CapitalLeasedAssetsGross	13000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leased Assets Gross CapitalLeasedAssetsGross	27000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	74000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	38000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	26000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	25000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	7000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	455000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	12000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	643000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Interest Included In Payments CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsInterestIncludedInPayments	6000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Present Value Of Net Minimum Payments CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments	6000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure	1158000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Obligations Number Of Agreements ObligationsNumberOfAgreements	67	agreement
CY2018Q4	aes	Defined Contribution Plan Numberof Plans DefinedContributionPlanNumberofPlans	4	plan
CY2018Q4	aes	U.S.Nonunion Numberof Defined Contribution Plans U.S.nonunionNumberofDefinedContributionPlans	2	plan
CY2018Q4	aes	Parent Company Numberof Defined Contribution Plans ParentCompanyNumberofDefinedContributionPlans	1	plan
CY2018Q4	aes	Ipl Numberof Non Union Defined Contribution Plans IPLNumberofNonUnionDefinedContributionPlans	1	plan
CY2018	aes	Defined Contribution Plan Award Vesting Period DefinedContributionPlanAwardVestingPeriod	P5Y
CY2018	aes	Defined Contribution Plan Contributions DefinedContributionPlanContributions	21000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Net Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests NetTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	-2000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Change In Net Income Attributable To Parent Due To Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests ChangeInNetIncomeAttributableToParentDueToTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	1200000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Change In Net Income Attributable To Parent Due To Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests ChangeInNetIncomeAttributableToParentDueToTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	-908000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Defined Contribution Plan Contributions DefinedContributionPlanContributions	23000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Defined Contribution Plan Contributions DefinedContributionPlanContributions	15000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Defined Benefit Plan Number Of Plans Disclosure DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfPlansDisclosure	30	plan
CY2018	aes	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percent Increase In Discount Rate On Pension Expense DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentIncreaseInDiscountRateOnPensionExpense	-12000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percent Decrease In Discount Rate On Pension Expense DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentDecreaseInDiscountRateOnPensionExpense	12000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percent Increase In Rate Of Return On Pension Expense DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentIncreaseInRateOfReturnOnPensionExpense	-16000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percent Decrease In Rate Of Return On Pension Expense DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentDecreaseInRateOfReturnOnPensionExpense	16000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Noncontrolling Owners MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners	0.067
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1203000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1161000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1130000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Net Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests NetTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	-3000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Net Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests NetTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	253000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest	-521000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Change In Net Income Attributable To Parent Due To Transfers To From Noncontrolling Interests ChangeInNetIncomeAttributableToParentDueToTransfersToFromNoncontrollingInterests	-1132000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-2147000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-323000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-286000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2756000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax	-15000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax	928000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1486000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-333000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-57000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1876000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax	-278000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax	64000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax	-1721000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax	-300000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansNetOfTax	-50000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2071000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid	0.13
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.1365
CY2018	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	0	shares
	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares Acquired TreasuryStockSharesAcquired	154300000	shares
	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod	1900000000	USD
	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Acquired Average Cost Per Share TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare	12.12
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount1 StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1	264000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	154905595	shares
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Treasury Stock Shares TreasuryStockShares	155924785	shares
CY2018Q4	aes	Numberof Sb Us NumberofSBUs	4	business
CY2018	us-gaap	Number Of Operating Segments NumberOfOperatingSegments	4	segment
CY2018	us-gaap	Number Of Reportable Segments NumberOfReportableSegments	4	segment
CY2018	us-gaap	Number Of Reportable Segments NumberOfReportableSegments	4	segment
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2018000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	771000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	187000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	39000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest	-354000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	71000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	36000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest	-509000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1170000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Pre Tax Contribution PreTaxContribution	1548000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Pre Tax Contribution PreTaxContribution	321000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Pre Tax Contribution PreTaxContribution	-131000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives	33000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives	-3000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives	-9000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealized	51000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealized	-59000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossUnrealized	22000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Dispositions Acquisitions Gains DispositionsAcquisitionsGains	-934000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Dispositions Acquisitions Gains DispositionsAcquisitionsGains	123000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Dispositions Acquisitions Gains DispositionsAcquisitionsGains	6000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Impairment Losses ImpairmentLosses	307000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Impairment Losses ImpairmentLosses	542000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Impairment Losses ImpairmentLosses	933000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Debt Retirement Losses DebtRetirementLosses	180000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Debt Retirement Losses DebtRetirementLosses	62000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Debt Retirement Losses DebtRetirementLosses	29000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Onetimerestructuringcosts Onetimerestructuringcosts	0	USD
CY2017	aes	Onetimerestructuringcosts Onetimerestructuringcosts	31000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Onetimerestructuringcosts Onetimerestructuringcosts	0	USD
CY2018	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	1185000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	1017000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	850000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	1185000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	1017000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Segment Reporting Information Adjusted Pretax Contribution SegmentReportingInformationAdjustedPretaxContribution	850000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	32521000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	33112000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	36124000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1003000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1169000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Depreciation And Amortization DepreciationAndAmortization	1176000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Capital Expenditures Total CapitalExpendituresTotal	2396000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Capital Expenditures Total CapitalExpendituresTotal	2356000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Capital Expenditures Total CapitalExpendituresTotal	2458000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	310000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	244000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest InvestmentIncomeInterest	245000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1056000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	837000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	1134000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	1114000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	1197000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	621000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	39000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	71000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	36000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10736000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10530000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10281000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	21396000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	20296000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	20000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	8000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	10000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	782000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Other Changes TemporaryEquityOtherChanges	34000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Other Changes TemporaryEquityOtherChanges	50000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Net Income TemporaryEquityNetIncome	2000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Net Income TemporaryEquityNetIncome	-14000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Accretion To Redemption Value TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValue	4000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Accretion To Redemption Value TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValue	25000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	879000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	837000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	879000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Temporary Equity Carrying Amount Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests	837000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10736000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	109000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	131000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	131000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability Revenue Recognized ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized	36000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Notes And Loans Receivable Gross Noncurrent NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossNoncurrent	1400000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Revenue Remaining Performance Obligation RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation	15000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse	1096000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.35
CY2017	us-gaap	Liquidation Basis Of Accounting Remeasurement Gain Loss On Asset LiquidationBasisOfAccountingRemeasurementGainLossOnAsset	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Liquidation Basis Of Accounting Remeasurement Gain Loss On Asset LiquidationBasisOfAccountingRemeasurementGainLossOnAsset	0	USD
CY2018	aes	Loss On Sale And Disposal Of Assets LossOnSaleAndDisposalOfAssets	30000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Loss On Sale And Disposal Of Assets LossOnSaleAndDisposalOfAssets	28000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Loss On Sale And Disposal Of Assets LossOnSaleAndDisposalOfAssets	12000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Other Costs DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts	10000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Other Costs DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts	1000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Other Costs DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts	3000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Allowanceforotherreceivables Allowanceforotherreceivables	7000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Allowanceforotherreceivables Allowanceforotherreceivables	0	USD
CY2016	aes	Allowanceforotherreceivables Allowanceforotherreceivables	52000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Water Rights Write Off WaterRightsWriteOff	0	USD
CY2017	aes	Water Rights Write Off WaterRightsWriteOff	19000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Water Rights Write Off WaterRightsWriteOff	6000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	11000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	10000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	7000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	58000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	58000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Other Expenses OtherExpenses	80000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse	208000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Held For Use ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse	537000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	7000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	2000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	186000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	545000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-361000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	2000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	1000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	5000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	1000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-4000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	378000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	335000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	318000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	130000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	109000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	76000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	708000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	990000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	32000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.21
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35
CY2016	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	17000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	0.02
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	-0.07
CY2016	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	-0.18
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	0.09
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CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Disposition Of Business EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDispositionOfBusiness	0
CY2016	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Disposition Of Business EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDispositionOfBusiness	0.04
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CY2017	aes	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Withholding Tax Reversals EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationWithholdingTaxReversals	0
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CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-0.01
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments	0
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CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.35
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	1.28
CY2016	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.17
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	0.06
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	0.09
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Repatriation Of Foreign Earnings EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings	0.90
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Taxes Receivable IncomeTaxesReceivable	147000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Taxes Receivable Noncurrent IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent	8000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Taxes Receivable Noncurrent IncomeTaxesReceivableNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Receivable IncomeTaxReceivable	171000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Receivable IncomeTaxReceivable	147000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	210000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Current AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	129000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent	7000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	112000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Income Taxes AccruedIncomeTaxes	217000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	-120000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	868000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1418000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	1424000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	243000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	143000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities	1661000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Liabilities DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities	1567000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards	1066000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards	1439000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards	52000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards	63000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals	62000000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	111000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	60000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	1346000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	1679000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	868000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	988000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	478000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	691000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	1183000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	876000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Undistributed Foreign Earnings DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Of Foreign Subsidiaries UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries	4000000000	USD
CY2018	aes	Tax Benefits Related To Tax Status Of Operations In Countries Subject To Reduced Tax Rates Per Share TaxBenefitsRelatedToTaxStatusOfOperationsInCountriesSubjectToReducedTaxRatesPerShare	0.04
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CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	-218000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	-511000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	-1305000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	2236000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	1282000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	1492000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	2018000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	771000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	187000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest On Income Taxes Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued	4000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest On Income Taxes Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued	7000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued	0	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Period Increase Decrease UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	3000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesExpense	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesExpense	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesExpense	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	2000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	463000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	0	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	348000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	352000000	USD
CY2015Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	364000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	348000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	352000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	446000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	332000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	332000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Portion With Attributes Warranting Full Valuation Allowance UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRatePortionWithAttributesWarrantingFullValuationAllowance	33000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Portion With Attributes Warranting Full Valuation Allowance UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRatePortionWithAttributesWarrantingFullValuationAllowance	29000000	USD
CY2016Q4	aes	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Portion With Attributes Warranting Full Valuation Allowance UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRatePortionWithAttributesWarrantingFullValuationAllowance	24000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.35
CY2018Q4	aes	Unrecognized Taxbenefits Anticipated To Result In Ne Decreaseof Unrecognized Tax Benefits W Ithin12 Monthsof Balance Sheet Date Minimum UnrecognizedTaxbenefitsAnticipatedToResultInNeDecreaseofUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsWIthin12MonthsofBalanceSheetDateMinimum	0	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Anticipated To Result In Net Decrease Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Within12 Months Of Balance Sheet Date Maximum UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsAnticipatedToResultInNetDecreaseOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsWithin12MonthsOfBalanceSheetDateMaximum	10000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	2000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	146000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	2000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	1000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	26000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	5000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	1000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	13000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	7000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	1000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	463000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	348000000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	352000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Incomelossfromdiscontinuedoperationsbeforeincometaxattributabletoparent Incomelossfromdiscontinuedoperationsbeforeincometaxattributabletoparent	-633000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Incomelossfromdiscontinuedoperationsbeforeincometaxattributabletoparent Incomelossfromdiscontinuedoperationsbeforeincometaxattributabletoparent	-1605000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	21000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Tax Effect Of Discontinued Operation DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation	-495000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation	2034000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation	1033000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue	3320000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue	4036000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Costs Of Goods Sold DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold	3151000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Costs Of Goods Sold DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold	3954000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense	166000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Expense DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense	160000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax	3000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation During Phase Out Period Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax	-78000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-611000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-1385000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-608000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-1463000000	USD
CY2017	aes	Incomelossondiscontinuedoperationsbeforetaxattributableto Noncontrollinginterest IncomelossondiscontinuedoperationsbeforetaxattributabletoNoncontrollinginterest	-25000000	USD
CY2016	aes	Incomelossondiscontinuedoperationsbeforetaxattributableto Noncontrollinginterest IncomelossondiscontinuedoperationsbeforetaxattributabletoNoncontrollinginterest	-142000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-654000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-1110000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	164000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	529000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	-288000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations	-368000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.04
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-0.04
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	985000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	662000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.49
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-507000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	660000000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-0.77
CY2016	aes	Incomelossfromcontinuingoperationsafter Adjustmentto Retained Earnings Basic Earnings IncomelossfromcontinuingoperationsafterAdjustmenttoRetainedEarningsBasicEarnings	-25000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	660000000	shares
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-0.04
CY2018	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	3000000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	0	shares
CY2016	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements	0	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	985000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	665000000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.48
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-507000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	660000000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-0.77
CY2016	aes	Incomelossfromcontinuingoperationsafter Adjustmentto Retained Earnings Diluted Earnings IncomelossfromcontinuingoperationsafterAdjustmenttoRetainedEarningsDilutedEarnings	-25000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	660000000	shares
CY2016	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-20000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	2000000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	7000000	shares
CY2016	us-gaap	Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount	8000000	shares
CY2018Q4	aes	Numberof Sb Us NumberofSBUs	4	business
CY2018Q4	aes	Numberof Sb Us NumberofSBUs	4	business
CY2018Q4	aes	Numberof Linesof Business NumberofLinesofBusiness	2	business
CY2018	aes	Percentageof Total Revenue Non U.S. PercentageofTotalRevenueNonU.S.	0.68
CY2018Q4	aes	Percentageoftotalrevenuesfromasinglecustomer Percentageoftotalrevenuesfromasinglecustomer	0.10
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	277000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	-48000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2740000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2537000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2837000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2622000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	656000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	600000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	671000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	646000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	778000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	224000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	192000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	155000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	192000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	-1000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	26000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	777000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	416000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	191000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	181000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	684000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	290000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	101000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	128000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.04
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.15
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.15
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.15
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.29
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.04
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.44
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.15
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.19
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.03
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.15
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.15
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.15
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.29
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.04
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.03
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.44
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.15
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.19
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.13
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.13
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.27
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2581000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2613000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2693000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2643000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	557000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	623000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	640000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Gross Profit GrossProfit	645000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	97000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	142000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	235000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-622000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	1000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	8000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	26000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax	-664000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	98000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	150000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	261000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	-1286000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-24000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	53000000	USD
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	152000000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-1342000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-0.04
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.08
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.22
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-1.03
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.01
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-1.00
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-0.04
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.08
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.23
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-2.03
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-0.04
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.08
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.22
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-1.03
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.01
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-1.00
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	-0.04
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.08
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.23
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	-2.03
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.12
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0
CY2017Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.12
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.25
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	788000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	89000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	128000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Business GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness	-21000000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	92000000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	74000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	42000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	144000000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	168000000	USD
CY2017Q2	us-gaap	Other Asset Impairment Charges OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	90000000	USD
CY2018Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Current RecourseDebtCurrent	5000000	USD
CY2017Q4	aes	Recourse Debt Current RecourseDebtCurrent	5000000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company By Consolidated Subsidiaries CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries	1900000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company By Consolidated Subsidiaries CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries	1200000000	USD
CY2016	us-gaap	Cash Dividends Paid To Parent Company By Consolidated Subsidiaries CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries	1000000000	USD

Files In Submission

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$AES
AES CORP Stock $aes

2018 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087476119000012 Filed on February 27, 2019

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AES AES CORP Stock $aes

2018 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087476119000012 Filed on February 27, 2019

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$AES
AES CORP Stock $aes