Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ 29,792	$ (59,737)	$ 8,951	$ (42,307)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(11,026)	64,355	104,029	55,579
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(27,921)	(51,434)	(122,135)	(60,088)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(38,947)	12,921	(18,106)	(4,509)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(9,155)	(46,816)	(9,155)	(46,816)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	1,744	2,118	2,028	2,669
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(904)	667	(1,188)	116
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(904)	667	(1,188)	116
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	840	2,785	840	2,785
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	390,626	430,698	367,557	426,695
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	24,016	(25,108)	49,048	(12,450)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(3,061)	(8,772)	(5,024)	(17,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	20,955	(33,880)	44,024	(29,877)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	411,581	396,818	411,581	396,818
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(459,042)	(561,341)	(466,604)	(569,789)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	0	13
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	5,043	7,438	12,605	15,873
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,043	7,438	12,605	15,886
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(453,999)	(553,903)	(453,999)	(553,903)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	96,464	68,788	105,970	98,118
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(34,138)	88,796	56,169	67,900
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(29,903)	(50,100)	(129,716)	(58,534)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(64,041)	38,696	(73,547)	9,366
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	32,423	107,484	32,423	107,484
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(56,412)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(230)	412	(493)	792
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(56,905)		(56,905)
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	(56,675)	(78,843)	(56,412)	(79,223)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(230)	412	(493)	792
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(230)	412	(493)	792
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (56,905)	$ (78,431)	$ (56,905)	$ (78,431)