Investments and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments - BHE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments:
Total investments	$ 7,791		$ 7,791		$ 6,600
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	6,724		6,724		7,067
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	960		960		831
Total investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments	15,475		15,475		14,498
Reflected as:
Current assets	257		257		178
Noncurrent assets	15,218		15,218		14,320
Unrealized gains recognized on marketable securities still held at the reporting date	294	$ 1,794	1,141	$ 2,403
Net gains recognized on marketable securities sold during the period	0	3	1	4
Gains on marketable securities, net	294	1,797	1,142	2,407
Equity income (loss)	(5)	$ (41)	(234)	(91)
Production tax credits			1,200	$ 1,000
Quad Cities Station nuclear decommissioning trust funds
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Decommissioning fund investments, fair value	727		727		676
Other restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	233		233		155
BHE Renewables tax equity investments
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	5,253		5,253		5,626
Reflected as:
Equity income (loss)			(353)
Production tax credits			401
Other income tax benefits			79
BHE Renewables tax equity investments | Domestic Tax Authority and State and Local Jurisdiction
Reflected as:
Equity income (loss)			123
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	583		583		580
Electric Transmission Texas, LLC
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	578		578		594
JAX LNG, LLC
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	87		87		75
Bridger Coal Company
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	60		60		74
Other
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	163		163		118
Impacted tax equity investments
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	2,800		2,800
BYD Company Limited common stock
Investments:
BYD Company Limited common stock	7,023		7,023		5,897
Rabbi trusts
Investments:
Rabbi trusts	473		473		440
Other
Investments:
Other	$ 295		$ 295		$ 263