Unaudited Quarterly Operating Results - SPPC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 19,844	$ 19,787	$ 18,614
Operating income (loss)									4,150	4,072	4,522
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders									2,950	2,568	2,870
Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues									889	855	812
Operating income (loss)	$ 40	$ 67	$ 27	$ 37	$ 30	$ 56	$ 19	$ 47	171	152	197
Net income attributable to BHE shareholders	23	44	14	22	16	35	7	34	103	92	109
Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member] | Electricity, US Regulated [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues	184	232	172	182	177	225	169	181	770	752	713
Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member] | Natural Gas, US Regulated [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 44	$ 16	$ 22	$ 37	$ 29	$ 14	$ 19	$ 41	$ 119	$ 103	$ 99