XML 79 R75.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Subsidiary Debt - MidAmerican Renewables (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
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 2,964us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		  
Other long-term debt 2,967us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 2,800us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | CE Generation Bonds 7.416% due 2018 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 123us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CEGenerationBonds7.416due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 125us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CEGenerationBonds7.416due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CEGenerationBonds7.416due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 7.416%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CEGenerationBonds7.416due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CEGenerationBonds7.416due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Salton Sea Funding Corporation Bonds 7.475% due 2018 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 69us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SaltonSeaFundingCorporationBonds7.475due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 71us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SaltonSeaFundingCorporationBonds7.475due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SaltonSeaFundingCorporationBonds7.475due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 7.475%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SaltonSeaFundingCorporationBonds7.475due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SaltonSeaFundingCorporationBonds7.475due2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Cordova Funding Corporation Bonds, 8.48% to 9.07%, due 2019 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 126us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 125us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 139us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Cordova Funding Corporation Bonds, 8.48% to 9.07%, due 2019 [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 8.48%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 8.48%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Cordova Funding Corporation Bonds, 8.48% to 9.07%, due 2019 [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 9.07%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 9.07%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_CordovaFundingCorporationBonds848To907Due2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Bishop Hill Holdings Senior Notes, 5.125%, due 2032 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 109us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_BishopHillHoldingsSeniorNotes5125Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 109us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_BishopHillHoldingsSeniorNotes5125Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 114us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_BishopHillHoldingsSeniorNotes5125Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_BishopHillHoldingsSeniorNotes5125Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_BishopHillHoldingsSeniorNotes5125Due2032Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Solar Star Funding Senior Notes, 5.375%, due 2035    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 1,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SolarStarFundingLLCSeriesASeniorSecuredNotes5.375dueJune2016throughJune2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 1,000us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SolarStarFundingLLCSeriesASeniorSecuredNotes5.375dueJune2016throughJune2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 1,000us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SolarStarFundingLLCSeriesASeniorSecuredNotes5.375dueJune2016throughJune2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 5.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SolarStarFundingLLCSeriesASeniorSecuredNotes5.375dueJune2016throughJune2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 5.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_SolarStarFundingLLCSeriesASeniorSecuredNotes5.375dueJune2016throughJune2035Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Topaz Solar Farms Senior Notes, 5.75%, due 2039 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 850us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes5.75dueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 850us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes5.75dueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 850us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes5.75dueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes5.75dueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes5.75dueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Topaz Solar Farms Senior Notes, 4.875%, due 2039    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes4875DueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 250us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes4875DueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 250us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes4875DueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes4875DueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_TopazSolarFarmsSeniorNotes4875DueSeptember2015ThroughSeptember2039Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Other debt obligations [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 27us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_OtherDebtObligationsMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt 27us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_OtherDebtObligationsMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] 30us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_OtherDebtObligationsMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Pinyon Pines I and II Term Loans, due 2019 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 401us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1],[2]  
Other long-term debt 401us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1],[2] 417us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1],[2]
Variable interest rate 1.88%us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 2.87%us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
Derivative, interest rate swap, portion of debt fixed 75.00%bhe_DerivativeInterestRateSwapPortionOfDebtFixed
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		  
Interest rate swaps average fixed rate 3.55%us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 4.53%us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_PinyonPinesIandIITermLoandue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
BHE Renewables [Member] | Subsidiary Debt [Member] | Wailuku Special Purpose Revenue Bonds, 0.09% due 2021 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Par value 9us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_WailukuSpecialPurposeRevenueBonds0.09due2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]  
Other long-term debt $ 9us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_WailukuSpecialPurposeRevenueBonds0.09due2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1] $ 0us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_WailukuSpecialPurposeRevenueBonds0.09due2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 [1]
Stated interest rate 0.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_WailukuSpecialPurposeRevenueBonds0.09due2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember		 0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= bhe_WailukuSpecialPurposeRevenueBonds0.09due2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= bhe_SubsidiaryDebtMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= bhe_MidamericanRenewablesMember
[1] Amortizes quarterly or semiannually.
[2] The term loans have variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus a spread that varies during the term of the agreement. The weighted average variable interest rate as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 1.88% and 2.87%, respectively. The Company has entered into interest rate swaps that fix the interest rate on 75% of the outstanding debt. The weighted average fixed interest rate for the 75% portion is fixed at 3.55% and 4.53% as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.