Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (46,816)	$ 31,068	$ (42,307)	$ (29,324)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(19,609)	(4,354)	35,970	(58,798)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(51,373)	(6,330)	(111,461)	108,506
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(70,982)	(10,684)	(75,491)	49,708
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(117,798)	20,384	(117,798)	20,384
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	2,785	3,815	2,669	3,420
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(469)	(662)	(353)	(267)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(469)	(662)	(353)	(267)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	2,316	3,153	2,316	3,153
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	396,818	399,480	426,695	337,256
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(50,760)	(9,475)	(63,210)	56,056
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(3,206)	(1,015)	(20,633)	(4,322)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(53,966)	(10,490)	(83,843)	51,734
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	342,852	388,990	342,852	388,990
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(553,903)	(297,460)	(569,789)	(288,223)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	13	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	7,437	2,956	23,310	(6,281)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,437	2,956	23,323	(6,281)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(546,466)	(294,504)	(546,466)	(294,504)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	107,484	(74,767)	98,118	(81,777)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	31,620	5,783	99,520	(114,587)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(55,604)	(8,271)	(114,138)	119,109
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(23,984)	(2,488)	(14,618)	4,522
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	83,500	(77,255)	83,500	(77,255)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(25,876)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(26)	(287)	(94)	(876)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(25,970)		(25,970)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(25,944)	(10,224)	(25,876)	(9,635)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(26)	(287)	(94)	(876)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(26)	(287)	(94)	(876)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (25,970)	$ (10,511)	$ (25,970)	$ (10,511)