Investments and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments - BHE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments:
Total investments	$ 7,498		$ 7,498		$ 6,600
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	6,759		6,759		7,067
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	897		897		831
Total investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments	15,154		15,154		14,498
Reflected as:
Current assets	194		194		178
Noncurrent assets	14,960		14,960		14,320
Unrealized gains recognized on marketable securities still held at the reporting date	1,966	$ 584	847	$ 609
Net (losses) gains recognized on marketable securities sold during the period	0	(1)	1	1
Gains on marketable securities, net	1,966	583	848	610
Equity income (loss)	(50)	$ (32)	(229)	(50)
Production tax credits			678	$ 454
Quad Cities Station nuclear decommissioning trust funds
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Decommissioning fund investments, fair value	728		728		676
Other restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	169		169		155
BHE Renewables tax equity investments
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	5,302		5,302		5,626
Reflected as:
Equity income (loss)			(305)
Production tax credits			306
Other income tax benefits			67
BHE Renewables tax equity investments | Domestic Tax Authority and State and Local Jurisdiction
Reflected as:
Equity income (loss)			70
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	584		584		580
Electric Transmission Texas, LLC
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	571		571		594
JAX LNG, LLC
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	86		86		75
Bridger Coal Company
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	71		71		74
Other
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	145		145		118
Impacted tax equity investments
Equity method investments:
Equity method investments	2,800		2,800
BYD Company Limited common stock
Investments:
Available-for-sale securities, equity securities	6,727		6,727		5,897
Rabbi trusts
Investments:
Rabbi trusts	472		472		440
Other
Investments:
Other	$ 299		$ 299		$ 263