v3.6.0.2

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - SAVINGS PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Savings Plan [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contributions to defined benefit plan | $ 42 | $ 43 | $ 38
Market value of employer stock held by plan | 1,100 | 1,100 |
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] |  |  |
Savings Plan [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contributions to defined benefit plan | 15 | 17 | 15
Southern California Gas Company [Member] |  |  |
Savings Plan [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contributions to defined benefit plan | $ 22 | $ 21 | $ 18

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- Definition Defined contribution plan, employer matching amount. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_SavingsPlanLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Savings plan, market value of employer stock held by plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_SavingsPlanMarketValueOfEmployerStockHeldByPlan
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=sre_SanDiegoGasAndElectricCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=sre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |