Risk Management and Hedging Activities - MEC - Not Designated as Hedging Contracts (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Commodity derivative [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Regulatory Assets (Liabilities), Net, Derivatives [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 180	$ 253	$ 148	$ 250
Changes in fair value recognized in net regulatory assets	0	(49)	33	(13)
Net gains (losses) reclassified to operating revenue	1	(3)	14	(3)
Ending balance	$ 162	$ 185	$ 162	$ 185

The net amount of regulatory assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date representing the net effective portion of unrealized losses and gains on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and used for domestic regulated operations. Unrealized losses and gains on derivatives used for domestic regulated operations are generally recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities due to the realized losses and gains on such derivatives being included in regulated rates.

No definition available.

Name:	bhe_NetRegulatoryAssetLiabilityUnrealizedLossGainOnDerivativeContracts
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant