Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 518	$ 563
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax	3	(5)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	73	87
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	0	38
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax	(2)	(4)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	68	126
Comprehensive income	586	689
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	7
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 581	$ 682