Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Schedule I Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 2,542	$ 2,370	$ 2,095
Net income	2,570	2,400	2,122
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(603)	(414)	(397)
Comprehensive income	1,967	1,986	1,725
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	28	30	27
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	1,939	1,956	1,698
MidAmerican Funding LLC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	532	458	409
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	3	(7)	(12)
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	535	451	397
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	2,542	2,370	2,095
Net income	2,545	2,373	2,097
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(603)	(414)	(397)
Comprehensive income	1,942	1,959	1,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	3	2
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 1,939	$ 1,956	$ 1,698