The AES Corporation operates as an international enterprise primarily focused on electricity generation and distribution. Its activities involve both the ownership and management of power plants, producing and supplying electricity to a diverse clientele that includes other utility companies, large industrial consumers, and various intermediate purchasers. Beyond generation, AES also functions as a utility provider, managing infrastructure to either produce or acquire, then transmit, distribute, and ultimately sell power directly to end-users across residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental sectors. The company is also an active participant in the wholesale electricity market. For power production, AES utilizes a broad spectrum of energy sources and advanced technologies. This includes conventional fuels like coal and natural gas, as well as a significant commitment to renewables such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass. Its renewable portfolio further incorporates energy storage solutions and landfill gas. With an operational generation capacity of approximately 31,459 megawatts, the company maintains a substantial global presence, conducting business in the United States, Puerto Rico, various nations across Central and South America (including El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico), the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 1981, the company was initially named Applied Energy Services, Inc., before officially rebranding to The AES Corporation in April 2000. Its corporate headquarters are located in Arlington, Virginia.