The percentage of common equity to total capitalization computed on a basis with its commitment to regulators.

No definition available.

Name:	bhe_CommonEquityLevelToTotalCapitalization
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the minimum common equity to total capitalization percentage allowed under acquisition commitment without prior regulatory approval, unless there are circumstances beyond the entity’s control.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_CommonEquityToTotalCapitalizationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

In the event there are circumstances beyond the entity’s control, represents the minimum common equity to total capitalization percentage allowed under acquisition commitment without prior regulatory approval.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_CommonEquityToTotalCapitalizationPercentageBelowWhichReasonableEffortsToMaintainAgreedToPercentageIsNotRequired
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of eligible property that was subject to lien of mortgage (based on original cost).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_EligiblePropertySubjectToLienOfMortgages
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Discount rate applied to vendor financing.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhe_VendorFinancingDiscountRateApplied
Namespace Prefix:	bhe_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of dividends that can be declared or paid without affecting the banking or savings institution's regulatory capital position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt classified as other.

+ References

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(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Subsidiary Debt Subsidiary Debt - MEC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 01, 2016	Sep. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 36,295
Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	27,476
Other long-term debt	27,354			$ 27,214
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	4,332
Other long-term debt	4,301			4,271
Eligible Property Subject To Lien Of Mortgages	15,000
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 2.40%, Due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	500
Other long-term debt	$ 499			$ 499
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.40%			2.40%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 3.70%, Due September 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 250
Other long-term debt	$ 248			$ 248
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%			3.70%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 3.50%, Due October 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 500
Other long-term debt	$ 501			$ 502
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%			3.50%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.80%, Due September 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 345			$ 345
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.80%			4.80%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.40%, Due October 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 400
Other long-term debt	$ 394			$ 394
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.40%			4.40%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.25%, Due May 2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 450
Other long-term debt	$ 445			$ 444
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%			4.25%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.95% Series, due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 250
Other long-term debt	$ 250			$ 250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%			5.95%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.3% Series, due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 350			$ 349
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.30%			5.30%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Notes, 6.75% Series, due 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 400
Other long-term debt	$ 396			$ 395
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%			6.75%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.75% Series, due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 300
Other long-term debt	$ 298			$ 298
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.75%			5.75%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.8% Series, due 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 347			$ 347
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%			5.80%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 10
Other long-term debt	$ 7			$ 4
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Tax-exempt bond obligations, variable rate, due 2016-2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate	0.76%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligation, 4.449%, Due Through 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied				4.45%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable Rate Tax Exempt Obligation Series Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 0
Other long-term debt	0			$ 33
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			$ 29
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable Rate Tax Exempt Obligation Series Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	0
Other long-term debt	0			4
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			4
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable Rate Tax Exempt Obligation Series due 2023, issued 1993 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	7
Other long-term debt	7			7
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable Rate Tax Exempt Obligation Series Due 2023, issued in 2008 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	57
Other long-term debt	57			57
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable-rate tax-exempt obligation series due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	35
Other long-term debt	35			35
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable-rate tax-exempt obligation series, due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	13
Other long-term debt	13			13
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable-rate tax-exempt obligation series, due 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	33		$ 33
Other long-term debt	33			0
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable-rate tax-exempt obligation series, due 2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	45
Other long-term debt	45			45
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Variable-rate tax-exempt obligation series, due 2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	30	$ 30
Other long-term debt	29			0
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Capital Lease Obligations, 4.16%, Due Through 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	2
Other long-term debt	$ 2			$ 2
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.16%
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Tax-exempt bond obligations, variable rate, due 2016-2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate				0.03%
Committed Common Equity Percentage To Regulators [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common equity to total capitalization percentage	42.00%
Committed Common Equity Percentage To Regulators Beyond Companies Control [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common equity to total capitalization percentage below which reasonable efforts to maintain agreed to percentage is not required	39.00%
Dividend Restriction For Common Equity Commitment [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount Available for Dividend Distribution without Affecting Capital Adequacy Requirements	$ 2,000
Common Equity Level To Total Capitalization [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common Equity Level To Total Capitalization	53.00%
Maximum [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied	4.45%
Minimum [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied	3.42%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 4,657
Other long-term debt	4,592			$ 4,560
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	4,332
Other long-term debt	4,301			4,271
Eligible Property Subject To Lien Of Mortgages	15,000
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 2.40%, Due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	500
Other long-term debt	$ 499			$ 499
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.40%			2.40%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 3.70%, Due September 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 250
Other long-term debt	$ 248			$ 248
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%			3.70%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 3.50%, Due October 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 500
Other long-term debt	$ 501			$ 502
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%			3.50%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.80%, Due September 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 345			$ 345
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.80%			4.80%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.40%, Due October 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 400
Other long-term debt	$ 394			$ 394
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.40%			4.40%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC First Mortgage Bonds, 4.25%, Due May 2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 450
Other long-term debt	$ 445			$ 444
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%			0.00%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.95% Series, due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 250
Other long-term debt	$ 250			$ 250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%			5.95%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.3% Series, due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 350			$ 349
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.30%			5.30%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Notes, 6.75% Series, due 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 400
Other long-term debt	$ 396			$ 395
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%			6.75%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.75% Series, due 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 300
Other long-term debt	$ 298			$ 298
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.75%			5.75%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Notes, 5.8% Series, due 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 350
Other long-term debt	$ 347			$ 347
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%			5.80%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 10
Other long-term debt	7			$ 4
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied				4.45%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| Tax-exempt bond obligations, variable rate, due 2016-2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	220
Other long-term debt	$ 219			$ 194
Variable interest rate	0.76%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| Capital Lease Obligations, 4.16%, Due Through 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par value	$ 2
Other long-term debt	$ 2			$ 2
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied	4.16%			4.16%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| Tax-exempt bond obligations, variable rate, due 2016-2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate				0.03%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied	4.45%
MidAmerican Funding [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| MidAmerican Energy Company [Member] \| Subsidiary Debt [Member] \| MEC Transmission Upgrade Obligations, 4.45% and 3.42% Due Through 2035 and 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Vendor Financing, Discount Rate Applied	3.42%