QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Operating revenue	$ 1,250.8		$ 1,120.6		$ 1,048.9		$ 1,061.6		$ 1,136.7		$ 1,267.7		$ 1,313.1		$ 1,428.6		$ 4,481.9	[1]	$ 5,146.1	[2]	$ 7,964.7	[3]
Operating expense	973.5	[4]	1,599.5	[4]	787.2	[4]	793.6	[4]	939.9	[5]	1,012.9	[5]	1,322.7	[5]	1,189.0	[5]	4,153.8	[4]	4,464.5	[5]	6,878.0
Operating income (loss)	277.3		(478.9)		261.7		268.0		196.8		254.8		(9.6)		239.6		328.1		681.6		1,086.7
Net income (loss)	183.2		(574.6)		177.7		172.4		112.5		184.5		(60.5)		217.8		(41.3)		454.3		740.0
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	79.2		(191.9)		70.3		68.8		82.0		77.8		10.0		51.3		26.4		221.1		263.3
Net income (loss) attributable to general and limited partner ownership interests in Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.	$ 80.3		$ (406.4)		$ 83.7		$ 80.0		$ 6.9		$ 82.1		$ (97.1)		$ 140.1		$ (162.4)		$ 132.0		$ 371.8
Net income (loss) per common unit and i-unit (basic and diluted) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08		$ (1.31)		$ 0.08		$ 0.07		$ (0.14)		$ 0.07		$ (0.44)		$ 0.26		$ (1.08)		$ (0.25)

[1] There were no intersegment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016.

[2] There were no intersegment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015.

[3] There were no intersegment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.

[4] Third quarter 2016 operating expenses were impacted by an asset impairment of $756.7 million. For more information, refer to Note 11. Property, Plant and Equipment.

[5] Second quarter 2015 operating expenses were impacted by a goodwill impairment of $246.7 million. For more information, refer to Note 15. Goodwill Impairment.