Income Taxes - MEC (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	108.00%	217.00%
Income tax benefit	$ 507,000,000	$ 535,000,000
Total loss before income tax benefit and equity loss	470,000,000	246,000,000
Federal statutory income tax rate, benefit	$ 99,000,000	$ 52,000,000
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax credit, amount	$ 339,000,000	$ 334,000,000
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax credit, percent	72.00%	136.00%
Effects of ratemaking	(8.00%)	(10.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
Income tax credits	72.00%	136.00%
State income tax, net of federal income tax impacts	(3.00%)	21.00%
Effects of ratemaking	8.00%	10.00%
Other	(1.00%)	(1.00%)
Effective income tax rate	108.00%	217.00%
Years eligible for federal renewable energy production tax credit	10 years
Production tax credits	$ 338,000,000	$ 315,000,000
MEC
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	(542.00%)	2200.00%
Income tax benefit	$ 206,000,000	$ 154,000,000
Total loss before income tax benefit and equity loss	$ (38,000,000)	7,000,000
Federal statutory income tax rate, benefit		$ 2,000,000
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax credit, amount		$ 168,000,000
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax credit, percent	(534.00%)	2400.00%
Effects of ratemaking, expense		$ 13,000,000
Effects of ratemaking	8.00%	186.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
Income tax credits	(534.00%)	2400.00%
State income tax, net of federal income tax impacts	(21.00%)	(29.00%)
Effects of ratemaking	(8.00%)	(186.00%)
Other	0.00%	(6.00%)
Effective income tax rate	(542.00%)	2200.00%
Years eligible for federal renewable energy production tax credit	10 years
Production tax credits	$ 203,000,000	$ 151,000,000
MEC \| BHE
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Related party transaction, cash paid for (received) income taxes	$ 0	$ 0

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Regulatory Differences, Amount

No definition available.

Name:	bhe_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRegulatoryDifferencesAmount
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by the tax effect of certain temporary differences due to state utility rate regulation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRegulatoryDifferencesPercent
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Renewable Energy Production Tax Credits recognized during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_RecognizedRenewableEnergyProductionTaxCredits
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transaction, cash received (paid) for income taxes, net

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_RelatedPartyTransactionCashPaidReceivedForIncomeTaxesNet
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_ScheduleofEffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of years from its in-service date that each wind-powered generating facility is eligible for federal renewable energy production tax credits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_YearsEligibleForRenewableEnergyProductionTaxCredit
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32687-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsTaxRateReconciliationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable to pretax income (loss).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to other adjustments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32687-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 6.I.Fact.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122134291&loc=d3e330036-122817

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 6.I.Fact.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122134291&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32687-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8736-108599

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I.7)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122134291&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32672-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (h)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123359005&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124431687&loc=d3e22663-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123586238&loc=d3e38679-109324

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(9))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124431687&loc=d3e22658-107794

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of income tax expense or benefit for the period computed by applying the domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to tax credits. Including, but not limited to, research credit, foreign tax credit, investment tax credit, and other tax credits.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=bhe_MidamericanEnergyCompanyAndSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=bhe_BerkshireHathawayEnergyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: