Segment Information - Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 9,010
Acquisitions	522
Foreign currency translation	170
Other	(2)
Ending balance	9,700
PacifiCorp [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,129
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Ending balance	1,129
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,102
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Ending balance	2,102
NV Energy, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,369
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Ending balance	2,369
Northern Powergrid [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	930
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	56
Other	0
Ending balance	986
BHE Pipeline Group [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	75
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	(2)
Ending balance	73
BHE Transmission [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,470
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	114
Other	0
Ending balance	1,584
BHE Renewables [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	95
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Ending balance	95
HomeServices [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	840
Acquisitions	522
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Ending balance	$ 1,362