BHE Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Par value	$ 52,313
Noncurrent senior debt	13,101	$ 13,096
BHE junior subordinated debentures	100	100
Senior notes | BHE
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Par value	13,201
Total BHE Senior Debt	13,101	13,996
Current senior debt	0	900
Noncurrent senior debt	$ 13,101	13,096
Senior notes | BHE | 2.80% Senior Notes, due 2023
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	2.80%
Par value	$ 0
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 0	400
Senior notes | BHE | 3.75% Senior Notes, due 2023
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	3.75%
Par value	$ 0
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 0	500
Senior notes | BHE | 3.50% Senior Notes, due 2025
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	3.50%
Par value	$ 400
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 399	398
Senior notes | BHE | 4.05% Senior Notes, due 2025
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	4.05%
Par value	$ 1,250
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 1,248	1,245
Senior notes | BHE | 3.25% Senior Notes, due 2028
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	3.25%
Par value	$ 600
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 593	594
Senior notes | BHE | 8.48% Senior Notes, due 2028
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	8.48%
Par value	$ 256
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 264	266
Senior notes | BHE | 3.70% Senior Notes, due 2030
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	3.70%
Par value	$ 1,100
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 1,096	1,095
Senior notes | BHE | 1.65% Senior Notes, due 2031
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	1.65%
Par value	$ 500
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 498	497
Senior notes | BHE | 6.125% Senior Bonds, due 2036
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	6.125%
Par value	$ 1,670
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 1,663	1,661
Senior notes | BHE | 5.95% Senior Bonds, due 2037
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	5.95%
Par value	$ 550
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 548	548
Senior notes | BHE | 6.50% Senior Bonds, due 2037
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	6.50%
Par value	$ 225
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 223	223
Senior notes | BHE | 5.15% Senior Notes, due 2043
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	5.15%
Par value	$ 750
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 741	740
Senior notes | BHE | 4.50% Senior Notes, due 2045
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	4.50%
Par value	$ 750
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 739	738
Senior notes | BHE | 3.80% Senior Notes, due 2048
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	3.80%
Par value	$ 750
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 736	738
Senior notes | BHE | 4.45% Senior Notes, due 2049
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	4.45%
Par value	$ 1,000
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 990	990
Senior notes | BHE | 4.25% Senior Notes, due 2050
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	4.25%
Par value	$ 900
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 889	889
Senior notes | BHE | 2.85% Senior Notes, due 2051
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	2.85%
Par value	$ 1,500
Total BHE Senior Debt	$ 1,488	1,487
Senior notes | BHE | 4.60% Senior Notes, due 2053
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	4.60%
Par value	$ 1,000
Total BHE Senior Debt	986	987
Junior subordinated debt | BHE
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Par value	100
BHE junior subordinated debentures	$ 100	100
Junior subordinated debt | BHE | 5.00% Junior subordinated debentures, due 2057
BHE Debt [Line Items]
Stated rate	5.00%
Par value	$ 100
BHE junior subordinated debentures	100	100
Interest expense	$ 5	$ 5	$ 5