Segment Information - Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 9,678
Foreign currency translation	(13)
Ending balance	9,665
PacifiCorp [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,129
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	1,129
MidAmerican Funding [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,102
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	2,102
NV Energy, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,369
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	2,369
Northern Powergrid Holdings [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	991
Foreign currency translation	26
Ending balance	1,017
BHE Pipeline Group [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	73
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	73
BHE Transmission [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,571
Foreign currency translation	(39)
Ending balance	1,532
BHE Renewables [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	95
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	95
HomeServices [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,348
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending balance	$ 1,348