Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$ 404	$ 317
Income tax payments (refunds), net	(4)	154
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	517	297
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	5	3
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66		$ 90
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 16		$ 19
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	82	232	109	$ 91
Bond Companies and Securitization Bond Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	66		90
Houston Electric
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest, net of capitalized interest	142	128
Income tax payments (refunds), net	25	1
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	432	164
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	0	1
Cash and cash equivalents	61		76
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13		13
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	74	74	89	88
Houston Electric | Other Current Liabilities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Contributions in aid of construction	68		47
Houston Electric | Bond Companies
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	61		76
CERC
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Interest, net of capitalized interest	111	82
Income tax payments (refunds), net	6	34
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures	89	133
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	1		1
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0		0
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	1	$ 1	1	$ 0
CERC | Credits Related to Customers on Budget Billing Programs
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Contract with customer, liability, current, budget billing programs	$ 76		$ 118