XML 105 R72.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Subsidiary Debt - Northern Powergrid (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value $ 38,593us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount  
Subsidiary Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 26,924us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember		  
Other long-term debt 26,995us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember		 22,802us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 2,267us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 2,334us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 2,487us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 8.875%, due 2020 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 156us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds8875Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 174us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds8875Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 189us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds8875Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 8.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds8875Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 8.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds8875Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 9.25%, due 2020 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 311us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds925Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 339us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds925Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 366us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds925Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 9.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds925Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 9.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds925Due2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | European Investment Bank loans, 3.901% to 4.586%, due 2018 to 2022 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 420us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 420us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 444us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | European Investment Bank loans, 3.901% to 4.586%, due 2018 to 2022 [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 3.901%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 3.901%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | European Investment Bank loans, 3.901% to 4.586%, due 2018 to 2022 [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 4.586%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 4.586%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_EuropeanInvestmentBankLoans3901To4586Due2018To2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 7.25%, due 2022 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 311us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 328us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 349us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2022Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 7.25%, due 2028 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 290us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 299us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 319us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 7.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds725Due2028Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 4.375%, due 2032 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 234us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds4375Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 231us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds4375Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 245us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds4375Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 4.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds4375Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 4.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds4375Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 5.125%, due 2035 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 311us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125Due2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 310us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125Due2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 328us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125Due2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125Due2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125Due2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Northern Powergrid [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bonds, 5.125%, due 2035 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 234us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125SeriesDue2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt $ 233us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125SeriesDue2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 $ 247us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125SeriesDue2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
Stated interest rate 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125SeriesDue2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember		 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_Bonds5125SeriesDue2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_NorthernPowergridHoldingsMember
[1] The par values for these debt instruments are denominated in sterling.