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Regulatory Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Regulatory liabilities, current $ 163us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent $ 167us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent
Regulatory liabilities, noncurrent 2,669us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent 2,498us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent
Total regulatory liabilities 2,832us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities 2,665us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
Cost of removal [Member]    
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Total regulatory liabilities 2,215us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
[1] 2,009us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember
[1]
Weighted average remaining life 28 years  
Asset retirement obligations [Member]    
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Total regulatory liabilities 169us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
151us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
Weighted average remaining life 23 years  
Levelized depreciation [Member]    
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Total regulatory liabilities 169us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_LevelizedDepreciationMember
144us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_LevelizedDepreciationMember
Weighted average remaining life 27 years  
Employee benefit plans [Member]    
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Total regulatory liabilities 20us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_PensionAndOtherPostretirementCostsMember
[2] 74us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_PensionAndOtherPostretirementCostsMember
[2]
Weighted average remaining life 12 years  
Other [Member]    
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]    
Total regulatory liabilities $ 259us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_RegulatoryLiabilitiesOtherMember
$ 287us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities
/ us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis
= bhe_RegulatoryLiabilitiesOtherMember
Weighted average remaining life Various  
[1] Amounts represent estimated costs, as accrued through depreciation rates and exclusive of ARO liabilities, of removing regulated property, plant and equipment in accordance with accepted regulatory practices. Amounts are deducted from rate base or otherwise accrue a carrying cost.
[2] Represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost that are to be returned to customers in future periods when recognized.