SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - RESTRICTED CASH (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 76	$ 47
Restricted cash, current	66	27
Restricted cash, noncurrent	10	20
Restricted Cash, Operating Requirements [Member] \| SDG&E [Member]
Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash	12
Restricted cash, current	11	23
Restricted cash, noncurrent	1
Restricted Cash, Construction Financing [Member] \| Sempra Mexico [Member]
Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash, current	52
Restricted cash, noncurrent	9	20
Restricted Cash, Construction Financing [Member] \| Sempra Renewables [Member]
Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Line Items]
Restricted cash, current	$ 3	$ 4

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant