Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 521,746	$ 606,016	$ 1,603,643		$ 2,097,516
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(10,005)	(6,644)	(34,769)		(33,026)
Realized gain (loss)	39,054	49,547	146,893		109,040
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(1,085,898)	396,681	(378,995)		1,342,724
Income taxes (benefits)	367,665	(161,765)	117,412		(507,474)
Consolidated net income (loss)	(718,233)	234,916	(261,583)	[1]	835,250	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)	51,373	6,330	111,461		(108,506)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)	3,206	1,015	20,633		4,322
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	86,020	13,000	177,129		(182,275)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(477)	(275)	(1,533)		(970)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	85,543	12,725	175,596		(183,245)
Income taxes (benefits)	(29,939)	(4,454)	(61,458)		64,136
Consolidated net income (loss)	55,604	8,271	114,138		(119,109)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	6,286	1,990	40,457		8,474
Income taxes (benefits)	(3,080)	(975)	(19,824)		(4,152)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,985	5,074	17,956		15,227
Amortization of loss	(17,588)	(8,952)	(52,764)		(26,903)
Settlement loss		(423)			(2,971)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(11,603)	(4,301)	(34,808)		(14,647)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,166	1,345	11,498		20,928
Consolidated net income (loss)	(7,437)	(2,956)	(23,310)		6,281
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	44	320	(2,200)		1,462
Realized gain (loss)	25,529	34,212	77,637		76,476
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	181,544	168,152	386,357		343,025
Income taxes (benefits)	(62,544)	(44,331)	(120,075)		(91,159)
Consolidated net income (loss)	119,000	123,821	266,282		251,866
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	845	844	2,535		2,533
Amortization of loss	(803)	(378)	(2,407)		(1,134)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	42	466	128		1,399
Income taxes (benefits)	(16)	(179)	(34)		(523)
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 26	$ 287	$ 94		$ 876

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2015 and 2014 include $9.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.