BHE Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
BHE junior subordinated debentures				$ 100		$ 944
Common stock, value, repurchased				19	$ 36
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased (shares)	35,000	75,000
Common stock, value, repurchased	$ 19	$ 36
BHE [Member] | BHE Junior Subordinated Debentures, due June 2057 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.00%
Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted			181,819
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
BHE junior subordinated debentures				100		944
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | BHE Junior Subordinated Debentures, due June 2057 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
BHE junior subordinated debentures				$ 100		$ 0