AESAES Corporation

Please refer to your non-GAAP measure Parent Free Cash Flow (“PFCF”) and address the following: • You disclose the Parent Company’s or management’s use of PFCF, but do not specifically identify how this measure is useful to investors. Please revise your disclosure to specifically identify how this measure is useful to your investors. Refer to Item 10(e)(1)(i)(C) of Regulation S-K.

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• Tell us and disclose in further detail management’s use of PFCF. In doing so, clarify for us and revise your disclosure to expand upon the “other uses” that you mention in footnote 1. Refer to Item 10(e)(1)(i)(D) of Regulation S-K.

The Company acknowledges the

Staff’s comment and proposes to include the following disclosure regarding Management’s use of PFCF in future materials:

“Parent Free Cash Flow

(a non-GAAP financial measure) should not be construed as an alternative to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities, which is determined in accordance with US GAAP. Parent Free Cash Flow is the primary, recurring source of cash that is available for use by the Parent Company.

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Parent Free Cash Flow is equal to Subsidiary Distributions less cash used for interest costs, development, general and administrative activities, and tax payments by the Parent Company. Management uses Parent Free Cash Flow to determine the cash available to pay dividends, repay recourse debt, make equity investments, fund share buybacks, pay Parent Company hedging costs and make foreign exchange settlements. We believe that Parent Free Cash Flow is useful to investors because it better reflects the Parent Company’s cash available to make growth investments, pay shareholder dividends, and make principal payments on recourse debt. Factors in this determination include availability of subsidiary distributions to the Parent Company and the Company’s investment plan.”

Other Uses: The use of PFCF for

“other uses” represents approximately 1%-4% of PFCF for 2017 – 2019. These “other uses” consist of Parent Company hedging costs, foreign exchange settlements, interest paid on temporary intercompany borrowings, and other fees.

We propose to replace the reference to “other uses” with “pay Parent Company hedging costs and make foreign exchange settlements” and to omit further reference to other uses.

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You disclose that, “The reconciliation of the difference between the subsidiary distributions and net cash provided by operating activities consists of cash generated from operating activities that is retained at the subsidiaries for a variety of reasons which are both discretionary and non-discretionary in nature.” • Explain your basis for inclusion of non-discretionary cash retained at the subsidiary level in your

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reconciliation. • Disclose the nature and amount of cash retained at the subsidiary level which is discretionary and non-discretionary in nature. Additionally, discuss and quantify the specific changes in the discretionary and non-discretionary cash retained at the subsidiary level.

PFCF comprises cash distributed to the Parent Company or its Qualified Holding Companies (“QHCs”). No cash, discretionary or non-discretionary, retained at the non-QHC subsidiary level, is included as part of PFCF. The disclosure regarding non-discretionary cash is made in reference to consolidated operating cash flows, which, by definition, includes the cash flows from operating activities at all of our consolidated subsidiaries.

Operating cash flows at our subsidiaries may or may not be readily available for distribution to the Parent Company at a given point in time, which this disclosure

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is intended to highlight. While management does have some discretion over whether a subsidiary’s cash flows are distributed to the Parent Company or retained at the subsidiary for future investment, PFCF only includes cash that is actually distributed to and received by the Parent Company or its QHCs within the reporting period. In order to further clarify, we propose to include “consolidated” in this disclosure when referring to “net cash provided by operating activities,” in order to distinguish from the reconciliation to Schedule 1 operating cash flows, which only includes the operating cash flows of the Parent Company.

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We note you provided guidance for fiscal 2020 PFCF of $725 to $775 million. You assert you are unable to provide a reconciliation for this non-GAAP measure to the GAAP measure net cash provided by operating activities at the Parent Company from Schedule I without unreasonable effort.

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Tell us why you are not able to provide a reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities at the Parent Company in light of the disclosures made on page 35 of your March 31, 2020 Form 10-Q filing which states, “We derive approximately 85% of our total revenues from our regulated utilities and long-term sales and supply contracts or PPAs at our generation businesses, which contributes to a relatively stable revenue and cost structure at most of our businesses.”

3. We note your comment and affirm that we are unable to provide a forward-looking reconciliation for PFCF to the GAAP measure, net cash provided by operating activities at the Parent Company from Schedule 1, without unreasonable effort due to the reasons set forth below. While management’s projections of the cash expected to be generated from the operations of our subsidiaries is based, in large part, on the revenues and costs associated with our regulated utilities and long-term sales and supply contracts or PPAs at our generation businesses, these distributions may be classified under US

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GAAP as cash from investing activities or financing activities at the Parent Company

Schedule 1, due to the holding company structure and the mechanics of how these subsidiary distributions will be made: payments on intercompany loans, dividend payments, liquidation proceeds from the disposal of the equity or assets of the subsidiary, etc..

We are not able to anticipate with a reasonable degree of accuracy the classification of relevant future cash flows under US GAAP on Schedule 1 and their relationship to PFCF, as the characterization of certain subsidiary distributions and overhead expenses funded by the Parent Company is generally not known or knowable until the transaction occurs.

Further, in contrast to the forecasting of PFCF, we do not forecast the components of Schedule 1, which include revenues, costs, or cash flows, as presented on a US GAAP basis. Schedule 1 is only prepared annually for the purposes of our Form 10-K. As illustrated in the reconciliation, certain cash flows included in the determination of PFCF are classified as investing activities in Schedule 1 under US GAAP. Examples of differences that give rise to these reconciling items include liquidation proceeds from sales of businesses that are sourced from the business’s accumulated earnings, dividends from subsidiaries classified as return of capital for US GAAP purposes, and repayments of intercompany loan agreements. These differences (reconciling items) arise due to the amount of available retained earnings at the subsidiary at any given reporting period, or the existence of any intercompany loan agreements that may require a subsidiary distribution or funding of overhead from the Parent Company to be classified as an investing or financing activity under US GAAP. As such, these reconciling items are not able to be forecasted to a degree of reasonable accuracy without unreasonable cost or effort;

and accordingly, we do not believe that any such forecasted reconciliation would be meaningful to our current or prospective investors.

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Please explain to us why your proportional metrics do not represent individually tailored measurement methods substituted for those of GAAP. See Question 100.04 of the updated Non-GAAP Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations issued on May 17, 2016.

The Company respectfully asserts that its proportional metrics are not individually tailored measurement methods as prohibited by Question 100.04 of the updated Non-GAAP Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations issued on May 17, 2016.

As background, in Item 1.- Business of AES’ 2015 Form 10-K, the Company discloses its ownership interest in the businesses in its portfolio. In a number of cases, the Company consolidates subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned businesses but are instead owned in partnership with non-AES shareholders.

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In the case of earnings, and in accordance with GAAP, the Company includes a non-controlling interest line on its income statement which reduces net income (loss) by excluding the economic interest attributed to non-AES shareholders. However, Consolidated Operating Cash Flow, in accordance with GAAP, does not exclude cash flow attributable to non-controlling interest. Accordingly, the Company’s proportional metrics are designed to exclude cash flows attributable to non-AES shareholders from Consolidated Operating Cash Flow. As further illustrated below, Proportional Free Cash Flow is lower than its nearest GAAP equivalent; however, it provides a better representation of the true economic contribution attributable to AES and its shareholders. AES’ proportional measures, as opposed to consolidated metrics, are an important tool for investors to value AES since they assign no value to cash flow attributable to non-AES shareholders.

Securities and Exchange Commission

For example, the Company owns 51% of Masinloc (The Philippines), with the remaining 49% owned by non-AES shareholders. Assuming $100 in Consolidated Operating Cash Flow from Masinloc, AES would include $100 of Consolidated Operating Cash Flow in its financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. In presenting its Proportional Free Cash Flow, the Company would begin with Consolidated Operating Cash Flow of $100 and reduce this number by $49 (the Consolidating Operating Cash Flow attributable to non-AES shareholders), resulting in Proportional Free Cash Flow of only $51.

On an aggregate basis, the removal of cash flows attributable to non-AES shareholders results in proportional metrics that are substantially lower than the associated GAAP metric. The table below shows, for AES as a whole, the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow as compared to the non-GAAP Proportional Free Cash Flow for the past 3 years and the first half of 2016 (in millions):

Q2 2016

2015

2014

2013

Consolidated Operating Cash Flow - GAAP

$

1,363

2,134

1,791

2,715

Proportional Free Cash Flow

670

1,241

891

1,271

Difference

693

893

900

1,444

The Company does not use proportional metrics to inflate, accelerate, or individually tailor its cash flows. Further, the Company does not modify its consolidation and equity method of accounting principles to include proportional balances related to unconsolidated subsidiaries that would not be recognized under GAAP. Rather, as described above, the Company is using proportional metrics to remove cash flow attributable to non-AES shareholders so that investors can value AES shares appropriately.

* * *

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

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We have read your response to comment 1. We believe your presentation is inconsistent with Question 100.04 of the updated Non-GAAP Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations issued on May 17, 2016. Please revise accordingly.

The Company acknowledges the Staff’s Comment and agrees that it will no longer provide disclosure on Proportional Free Cash Flow beginning with its quarterly filing for the period ending March 31, 2017.

Based on its conversations with the Staff, the Company understands that it may disclose its Proportional Free Cash Flow in its filings with the Commission for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2016, as a transition period.

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On the Company’s year-end earnings call in February of 2017, the Company intends to advise listeners that Proportional Free Cash Flow results and related guidance will no longer be issued by the Company, based on the Staff’s review and comment process. In subsequent periods, the Company may provide disclosure (including prior period results and forward-looking projections) on both (i) Consolidated Free Cash Flow and (ii) the interest in those cash flows held by non-controlling shareholders, but may not subtract or otherwise eliminate the interest of non-controlling shareholders in a single cash flow metric.

Securities and Exchange Commission

As noted above, beginning with the quarterly filing for the period ending March 31, 2017, the Company will no longer provide prior period results and guidance for Proportional Free Cash Flow or any other proportional cash flow metric. The Company understands that the steps described above would fully satisfy the Staff’s Comment.

* * *

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

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We note your disclosure in note 7 to the financial statements that you have $122 million of noncurrent receivables which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year.

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Please tell us your consideration of revising your disclosure in the second to last full paragraph on page 99 regarding certain accounts receivable classified as noncurrent to address the nature and terms of this $122 million in noncurrent receivables, including your assessment of any risk associated with collection of these receivables.

In response to the Staff’s Comment, the Company agrees that to the extent applicable, it will provide more specific disclosure regarding the noncurrent receivables which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities greater than one year.

In the case of the $122 million of non-current receivables noted in the Staff’s comment, the Company notes that approximately $101 million of the receivables was expected to be contributed to finance construction of facilities in Argentina pursuant to the FONINVEMEM program in Argentina, while the remaining $21

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million relates to the receivables to be contributed into new trusts to be set up by the Argentine government under Resolution 95. The Company has included disclosure regarding the FONINVEMEM program and Resolution 95 in the Form 10-K, including at Note 7—Long-Term Financing Receivables (incorporated by referenced in the second to last paragraph on page 99 that was noted in the Staff’s comment), Item 8- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and Item 1. – Business – Regulatory matters – Argentina.

As noted above, in future filings and to the extent applicable, the Company agrees that it will provide disclosure that will expand its current disclosure in Note 7 in a manner similar to the following:

“Excludes noncurrent receivables of $122 million and $120 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, which have not been converted into financing receivables and do not have contractual maturities of greater than one year. Of the $122 million, approximately $101 million is expected to be contributed to a FONINVEMEM Agreement and approximately $21 million is expected to be contributed to a trust to be set up by the Argentine government as required by Resolution 95. Also, excludes the foreign currency-related embedded derivative assets associated with the financing receivables which had a fair value of $97 million and $69 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.”

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Please tell us your consideration of disclosing how you computed the proportional adjustment factor applied in arriving at proportional operating cash flow, proportional maintenance capital expenditures, net of reinsurance proceeds and proportional nonrecoverable environmental capital expenditures each period.

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We believe this information is necessary to make the reconciliation to operating cash flows clearly understandable, as contemplated in Item 10(e)(1)(i)(b) of Regulation S-K. Please also tell us your consideration of disclosing this same information where you disclose proportional free cash flow in earnings releases furnished on Form 8-K.

As further described below, the Company agrees that it will provide additional disclosure explaining the computation of the proportional adjustment factor.

As background, the proportional adjustment factor is used to calculate AES’ ownership interest in the metric in question (e.g., proportional operating cash flow, proportional maintenance capital expenditures and proportional non-recoverable environmental capital expenditures).

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In calculating the proportional adjustment factor, the Company simply takes the consolidated number and multiplies by the non-controlling interest for each consolidated subsidiary that is not wholly-owned. For example, the Company owns approximately 70% of AES Gener, its subsidiary in Chile. Assuming a consolidated net cash flow from operating activities of $100 from AES Gener, the proportional adjustment factor for AES Gener would equal approximately $30. The Company calculates the proportional adjustment factor for each consolidated business and adds these amounts together to calculate the total proportional adjustment factor used in the reconciliation. The proportional adjustment factor is then subtracted from consolidated net cash flow from operating activities to arrive at proportional operating cash flow, as presented in the Company’s reconciliation of this metric.

The Company notes that it currently includes the following disclosure in its description of the computation: “We define Proportional Free Cash Flow as cash flows from operating activities less maintenance capital expenditures (including non-recoverable environmental capital expenditures), adjusted for the estimated impact of non-controlling interests.” In future filings, the Company will add the following sentence after this disclosure: “The proportionate share of cash flows and related adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests in our subsidiaries comprise the proportional adjustment factor presented in the reconciliation below.”

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We note you include a schedule of capital expenditures with your presentations of non- GAAP financial measures in earnings releases furnished on Form 8-K. Please explain to us why the total capital expenditures per the tabular 8-K disclosure is higher than total capital expenditures in your Form 10-K and your consideration of providing a similar schedule here of capital expenditures reconciled to capital

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expenditures disclosed in your statements of cash flows.

The Company reports capital expenditures in the following two lines in its statements of cash flows as required by ASC 230-10-45-13.c.: “Capital expenditures” and “Payments for financed capital expenditures.” The sum of these two lines equals the capital expenditures included in the Company’s earnings releases, as per the below table.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

2013

2012

Capital expenditures

$

1,988

2,108

Payments for financed capital expenditures

591

162

Total Capital Expenditures (per Earnings Release)

2,579

2,270

In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company

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agrees that in future periodic filings, in the Proportional Free Cash Flow section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, it will include a schedule similar to the one provided in the Company’s earnings press release.

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Please refer to the last paragraph under this heading. You indicate that one or more of the subsidiaries currently in default could at some point in time fall within the definition of a “material subsidiary” and trigger an event of default and possible acceleration of the Parent Company’s outstanding debt securities.

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Please tell us your consideration of describing what would constitute a “material subsidiary” to enable investors to better understand the risk of cross-default. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, page 114 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, page 120 8. Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, page 141

As noted in the Company’s Form 10-K, at this time there are no subsidiaries which meet the definition of “material subsidiary.” Nevertheless, in response to the Staff’s Comment, the Company agrees that in future filings, it will note that “material subsidiary” is defined in its senior secured revolving credit facility as any business that contributed 20% or more of the Parent Company’s total cash distributions from businesses for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters. Read in the reply ↗

We note your disclosure that the aggregate carrying amount of investments in equity affiliates exceeds the underlying equity in their net assets by $214 million at December 31, 2013. Please refer to ASC 323-10-50-3 and tell us your consideration of disclosing your accounting treatment for this difference.

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In addition, we note that the carrying amount of investments in equity affiliates exceeded the underlying equity in their net assets by only $37 million at December 31, 2012. Please help us understand the cause of the increased difference between the carrying amount and underlying equity in net assets of equity affiliates during 2013. In this regard, we note that undistributed earnings of equity affiliates only increased $18 million in this same period, and there do not appear to be any significant new equity affiliates in 2013. 12. Debt, page 149

As contemplated by ASC 323-10-35, AES frequently has carrying amounts of investments in equity affiliates that exceed the underlying equity in their net assets because the Company acquires the investments after the inception of the affiliate and the fair value implied by the cost of investment is higher than the carrying amount of that proportion of the equity in net assets.

In responding to the Staff’s comment, the Company determined that the disclosure in its 2013 Form 10-K of the difference between the carrying amount of investments in equity affiliates and underlying equity in net assets

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of equity affiliates is correct. However, the comparable disclosure in the 2012 Form 10-K should have been $109 million instead of $37 million. The disclosure difference in the 2012 Form 10-K had no impact to amounts reported on AES’ consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity or consolidated statements of cash flows as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company determined this disclosure difference to be both quantitatively and qualitatively immaterial as it is not probable that the judgment of a reasonable person relying upon our financial statements would have been changed or influenced by the correction of the disclosure difference.

The 2013 to 2012 change in the difference between the carrying amount of investments in equity affiliates and underlying equity in net assets of equity affiliates is explained in the table below and related notes thereto:

(in millions)

Carrying

Amount of

Underlying

Equity

Investments in

Equity in

Change in

Affiliate

Equity Affiliates

Net Assets

Difference

Trinidad

-

(51

)

Entek

165

167

(2

234

286

(52

Guacolda

245

164

196

193

Others

600

465

135

742

605

137

1,010

796

214

1,196

1,159

177 a)

At December 31, 2012, the underlying equity in net assets of Trinidad was greater than the carrying amount of the investment in equity affiliate because the 90% majority partner in Trinidad Generation Unlimited contributed additional capital into Trinidad Generation Unlimited. The Company did not make a proportional contribution, which resulted in a $51 million difference between the Company’s carrying amount and the underlying equity in net assets of Trinidad Generation Unlimited. The Company sold its interest in Trinidad Generation Unlimited during the third quarter of 2013.

b)

A $37 million loan made by the Company to Entek (Turkey) to acquire a project was appropriately classified as a liability by Entek as of December 31, 2012. During 2013, this loan was converted into equity.

c)

For Guacolda and Entek, the underlying equity in net assets should have been $135 million and $272 million instead of $193 million and $286 million, respectively.

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Please refer to Rule 4-08(e)(1) of Regulation S-X and tell us your consideration of disclosing the amount of retained earnings or net income restricted as to the payment of dividends. In this regard, we note your disclosure on page 152 that the senior secured credit facilities include limitations on restricted payments such as shareholder dividends. 14. Contingencies, page 153

There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends based on income or retained earnings tests in the Company’s outstanding debt covenants. However, in response to the Staff’s comment, the Company agrees that in future filings, it will include a statement clarifying that when not in compliance with the financial covenants of its senior secured revolving credit facility, restricted payments will be limited to regular quarterly shareholder dividends at the then prevailing rate.

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The Company will also disclose that payment defaults and bankruptcy defaults also preclude the making of any restricted payments.

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Please refer to ASC 450-20-50-1 and tell us your consideration of revising disclosures under the Environmental and Litigation subheadings to replace the term “reserves” with other terminology that is descriptive of the nature of the accrual, such as estimated liability.

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Use of the term “reserves” may create confusion since accrual of a loss related to a contingency does not create or set aside funds to lessen the possible financial impact of a loss. Additionally, please tell us your consideration of discussing in the footnotes or Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations any significant changes in your contingency accrual, such as the $81 million reduction of the accrual during 2013. 17. Segments and Geographic Information, page 162

In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company agrees that beginning with the 2nd Quarter 2014 Form 10-Q, under the Environmental and Litigation subheadings, the Company will replace the terms “reserves” and “reserved” with descriptions contained in ASC 450-20, such as “estimated liability” or “accrual.”

The reduction in the contingency accrual during 2013 is principally due to foreign currency rate changes in Brazil of $27 million, the settlement and payment of liabilities that were less than the amount of the related contingency accrual of $30 million, and the reduction of accrued

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liabilities when the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome was no longer probable of $10 million. In future filings, we will provide the detail of similar changes in the contingency accrual in the footnote on Contingencies to the extent material.

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We note that you decreased from nine to six reportable segments in 2013 and as a result, the regulated utility operations are now aggregated with the non-regulated generation operations within each geographic region.

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If you have determined that the regulated utility operations do not represent an operating segment or segments separate and distinct from unregulated generation activities within each region, and particularly in the US and Brazil, please tell us how you applied the guidance in ASC 280-10-50-1 through 9 in determining your operating segments. Alternatively, if operating segments have been aggregated in arriving at the revised reportable segments, please disclose this information pursuant to ASC 280-10-50-21.a. and tell us the basis for such aggregation considering all of the aggregation criteria in ASC 280-10-50-11. 18. Share-Based Compensation, page 165

During the fourth quarter of 2013 and in connection with the finalization of its revised internal reporting structure, the Company revised its internal reporting to align more closely with its operations. The Company’s management reporting structure is organized along six strategic business units (“SBUs”) — led by our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) who is also the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”).

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Using the accounting guidance on segment reporting under ASC 280, the Company has determined that it has six operating segments corresponding to its six SBUs.

During the fourth quarter of 2012, under the direction of our new CEO, the Company initiated the process of redefining its operational management structure, which was reorganized along six geographic SBUs. During 2013, the CEO initiated changes to the way in which the company managed the business and the company continued to transition the SBUs under the new management regime. The changes took several months to implement and were completed in the fourth quarter of 2013 culminating with alignment of the internal reporting information provided to the CEO with the SBU management structure. At this time, the company also determined that the CODM consists solely of the CEO as opposed to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as the CEO has the ability to override the decisions made by the ELT.

In conjunction with the Company’s change in operating segments, the segment manager for the US SBU manages all of the businesses in the US SBU geographical area and the CEO/CODM now receives only financial information at the SBU level rather than by type of operation. The Company determined that the regulated utility operations do not represent an operating segment separate and distinct from unregulated generation activities within each region because, in accordance with ASC 280-10-50-1, the separate operating results of the regulated utility operations are no longer regularly reviewed by the CODM to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the utility operations and assess their performance.

The Company has elected to not aggregate any operating segments for the purposes of presenting its reportable segments.

Finally, it should be noted that the change in operating segments did not result in any changes to the Company’s reporting units under ASC 350.

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We note you use the simplified method in determining the expected term for stock options granted. Please refer to SAB 110 and explain to us why your historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. 24. Acquisitions and Dispositions, page 177

The Company had used the simplified method for estimating the expected term of employee stock options as we had previously determined that we were unable to rely on historical data due to the significant changes in recent years in the types of employees eligible for stock option awards and therefore historical exercise data may no longer have provided a reasonable basis upon which to estimated expected term. Furthermore, alternative information, such as exercise data for employees of other companies, was not easily obtainable.

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Notwithstanding these points, the Company performed a sensitivity analysis related to 2013 and determined that the stock option expense of approximately $1 million recognized in the year ended December 31, 2013 would not have been materially different had the simplified method not been used for estimating the expected term of employee stock options when measuring the related stock compensation expense. Nevertheless, in response to the Staff’s comment, the Company will use historical data when it can be relied upon as contemplated under SAB 110.

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Please tell us in detail how you concluded that Cartagena should not be classified as discontinued operations upon the sale of your majority interest in this entity in 2012. In this regard, we note your disclosure that the results of Cartagena were not classified as discontinued operations due to the Company’s continued ownership interest, yet we note you only retained a 14% interest in Cartagena after the 2012

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disposal. Additionally, please tell us whether you expected the counterparty to the sale transaction to exercise its option to purchase your remaining 14% interest when the option became exercisable one year and one month after the sale of your majority interest in Cartagena and how this provision of the sale agreement impacted your analysis as to whether classification as discontinued operation was required. Refer to ASC 205-20.

As disclosed in Note 24 to our 2012 consolidated financial statements, the Company sold 80% of its interest in the wholly-owned holding company that controls and consolidates Cartagena to GDF Suez in February 2012. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Company maintained “significant influence” over the holding company as defined by ASC 323 through its representation on its board of directors and by having additional rights that limited the ability of GDF Suez to make unilateral changes to Cartagena.

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The option granting GDF Suez the right to acquire the last 20% of the holding company could not be exercised until March 2013, which was longer than one year after the sale in February 2012. From the time of the sale until the exercise of the option in April of 2013 (14 months after the original sale), the Board structure and additional rights referenced above remained in place. As such, the Company continued to have significant continuing involvement in Cartagena for at least one year after it had disposed of its controlling financial interest, so the criterion necessary for discontinued operations treatment under ASC 205-20-45-1.b. (as interpreted by ASC 205-20-55-20) was not met (and there were no changes to prompt a reassessment under ASC 205-20-55-22).

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We note your disclosure regarding your investments in Bulgaria and the numerous events, any of which could have a material impact on the Company. Please discuss and quantify, to the extent practical, the reasonably likely impact on your results of operations and financial condition of the February 2014 restructuring of NEK as well as Standard and Poor’s lowering of NEK’s credit rating.

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Please also expand your disclosure to discuss if any impairment testing has been conducted, and if so, the results of the testing indicating the factors considered in concluding no adjustments to the assets were necessary.

The Company reviewed the guidance in ASC 360-10-35 and determined that there was no indicator of impairment as of March 31, 2014 as there was no reason to believe the carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable from undiscounted cash flows. The Company determined that there may not be an impact on Maritza, as the power purchase agreement remained in place (as did the Government Support Letter issued in 2005), and Maritza had honored its obligations thereunder and believed that NEK would as well.

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In addition, NEK remained current under the revised payment schedule noted in the disclosure. In accordance with the guidance in ASC 450-20, the Company concluded that the accounts receivables outstanding from NEK were probable of being fully collected as of March 31, 2014.

Although there was no financial statement impact resulting from events at Maritza, the Company nevertheless provided disclosure in accordance with Instruction 3 to Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K, which seeks disclosure on uncertainties which could cause reported financial information to differ from future operating results. With regard to quantification, the Company notes that neither the downgrade of NEK nor its restructuring by themselves result in economic harm to Maritza under its agreements (e.g., there is no increase in interest rate, penalties or costs that are quantifiable resulting from these events). Furthermore, the Company determined that future impacts could range from zero (as noted in the preceding paragraph) to total loss of the business (if NEK did not honor any obligations under the contract). Therefore, consistent with the Staff’s comment, the Company quantified the $185 million of receivables outstanding (including $19 million current, $45 million not yet due, and $121 million overdue by less than 90 days), the $1.7 billion of long-lived assets held at Maritza, the Company’s $749 million net equity at Maritza, the $820 million of debt in default at Maritza and the $330 million of damages sought by the contractor in the arbitration referenced in the disclosure. These amounts were included so that investors could understand the potential maximum exposure faced by the Company at Maritza.

In future filings, if events occur at Maritza that allow the Company to estimate the reasonably likely impact on AES’ results of operations or financial condition, the Company will update its disclosure accordingly and provide any disclosures that are warranted in the financial statements based on the guidance on ASC 275-10-50

* * *

The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

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We reviewed your response to comment 2 in our letter dated June 3, 2014 and we reissue the comment. In this regard, we don’t believe the additional disclosure you intend to provide in future filings clarifies sufficiently how you computed the proportional adjustment factor applied in arriving at proportional operating cash flow, proportional maintenance capital expenditures, net of reinsurance proceeds and

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proportional nonrecoverable environmental capital expenditures. Moreover, we note you have not addressed the last part of our comment regarding disclosures on Form 8-K. In responding to the comment, please help us understand why AES’ proportional interest in each metric in question is so much more significant than AES’ proportional interest in net income (loss) of the consolidated entity each period. For example, we note in the computation of fiscal 2013 proportional operating cash flow, the proportion of cash flow attributed to non-controlling interests appears to be 30%, whereas the proportion of consolidated net income attributed to non-controlling interests in fiscal 2013 was 79%.

As further described below, the Company agrees that it will provide additional disclosure explaining the computation of the proportional adjustment factor.

The Company notes that the difference between AES’ proportional interest in cash flow and AES’ proportional interest in consolidated net income (loss) has historically resulted principally from: (a) the impact of non-cash items (such as impairments) that have a significant impact on net income but no impact on cash flows, and (b) the Company’s ownership interest in the subsidiary where such non-cash items occur.

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For example, in 2013 the Company reported $372 million of goodwill impairments, of which 100% is attributable to AES. These non-cash impairments have a significant impact on consolidated net income, but little to no impact on either net income attributable to non-controlling interests or the amount of operating cash flow attributable to non-controlling interests. Therefore, the proportion of consolidated net income attributable to non-controlling interests is higher than the proportion of cash flow attributable to non-controlling interests.

As shown in the following table, the principal difference between the 79% proportion of consolidated net income attributable to non-controlling interests and the 30% proportion of cash flow attributable to non-controlling interests results from non-cash items recognized in earnings principally at wholly-owned subsidiaries:

Income Statement Line Items

After-tax Amounts

(in millions)

2013 Net Income

$551

Add: Goodwill impairment

$372

Add: Loss on extinguishment of debt

$165

Add: Asset impairment expense

$66

2013 Adjusted Net Income

$1,154

Net Income attributable to non-controlling interests

$437

Proportional Interest in Adjusted Net Income (above)

38%

The remaining difference relates to other less significant non-cash items and the effects of insignificant non-controlling interests.

In response to the Staff’s comment, the Company agrees that in future filings where proportional metrics are used, the Company will expand its disclosure to further explain the proportional adjustment factor. In the case of proportional cash flow, the Company proposes the following disclosure: “The proportional adjustment factor is calculated by multiplying the percentage owned by non-controlling interests for each entity by its corresponding consolidated cash flow metric and adding up the resulting figures. For example, the Company owns approximately 70% of AES Gener, its subsidiary in Chile. Assuming a consolidated net cash flow from operating activities of $100 from AES Gener, the proportional adjustment factor for AES Gener would equal approximately $30 (or $100 x 30%). The Company calculates the proportional adjustment factor for each consolidated business in this manner and then adds these amounts together to determine the total proportional adjustment factor used in the reconciliation. The proportional adjustment factor may differ from the proportion of income attributable to non-controlling interests as a result of (a) non-cash items which impact income but not cash and (b) AES’ ownership interest in the subsidiary where such items occur.”

In the case of the other metrics noted in the Staff’s comment, similar disclosures will be included which are tailored to the metric in question. Furthermore, the above-referenced disclosures will be included in both the Company’s periodic filings and in earnings releases furnished on Form 8-K. In each case, the disclosures will be included where the Company provides its reconciliation as required by Item 10(e)(1)(i)(b) of Regulation S-K.

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We note your response to comment 4 in our letter dated June 3, 2014 and the additional disclosure you intend to provide in future filings. Please tell us your consideration of disclosing further whether any subsidiary currently in default or all subsidiaries currently in default on an aggregate basis are presently at risk of triggering cross-default due to the proportion of the Parent Company’s total cash

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distributions contributed by these subsidiaries approaching the 20% materiality threshold in the credit agreement.

The Company agrees that in future filings, it will disclose whether any subsidiary currently in default or all subsidiaries currently in default on an aggregate basis are presently at risk of triggering cross-default due to the proportion of the Parent Company’s total cash distributions contributed by these subsidiaries approaching the 20% materiality threshold in the credit agreement. Read in the reply ↗

We reviewed your response to comment 11 in our letter dated June 3, 2014. Please expand your disclosure in future filings to disclose that you determined there was no indicator of asset impairment and there was no reason to believe the carrying amount of the asset group was not recoverable.

In future filings, the Company will include in its disclosure whether or not there were any indicators of asset impairment and whether or not there is any reason to believe the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable from undiscounted cash flows.

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The Company acknowledges that: (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff

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comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

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