DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES 2 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2017 [Member] | Sempra Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 600
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.30%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2017 [Member] | Luz Del Sur [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	21
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.97%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2042 [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.30%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2042 [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	350
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.75%
Other Long Term Debt, Floating Rate Due 2028 [Member] | Copper Mountain Solar I [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	117
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.54%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate At Period End	2.86%
Debt Instrument, Floating To Fixed Interest Rate Swap	88
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2022 [Member] | Sempra Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2018 [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	161
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.65%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due 2039 [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	75
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.00%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due February 2019 [Member] | Luz Del Sur [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	9
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.34%
Other Long Term Debt, Fixed Rate Due July 2019 [Member] | Luz Del Sur [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 25
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.44%