Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Securitization property	$ 874,976	$ 914,751
Securitization bonds	927,441	973,480
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	254,752,788	254,752,788
Treasury stock, shares	76,513,406	76,945,239
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Securitization property	87,672	93,238
Securitization bonds	95,363	101,547
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	325,000,000	325,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	46,980,196	46,980,196
Common stock, shares outstanding	46,980,196	46,980,196
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Securitization property	166,000	172,838
Securitization bonds	174,843	181,553
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized	12,000,000	12,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,666,357	8,666,357
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,666,357	8,666,357
Entergy New Orleans
Common stock, par value	$ 4	$ 4
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,435,900	8,435,900
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,435,900	8,435,900
Entergy Texas [Member]
Securitization property	621,305	648,863
Securitization bonds	$ 657,235	$ 690,380
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	46,525,000	46,525,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	46,525,000	46,525,000
System Energy [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	789,350	789,350
Common stock, shares outstanding	789,350	789,350