Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 344,110	$ 439,306	$ 866,189		$ 1,081,896
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(8,377)	(15,743)	(18,963)		(24,764)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	323,617	253,503	698,805		706,903
Income taxes (benefits)	248,973	(99,781)	109,027		(250,252)
Consolidated net income	572,590	153,722	807,832	[1]	456,651	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	27,921	51,434	122,135		60,088
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	3,061	8,772	5,024		17,427
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	45,975	77,587	199,933		91,109
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	30	(510)	(370)		(1,056)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	46,005	77,077	199,563		90,053
Income taxes (benefits)	(16,102)	(26,977)	(69,847)		(31,519)
Consolidated net income	29,903	50,100	129,716		58,534
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)	6,000	17,201	9,850		34,171
Income taxes (benefits)	(2,939)	(8,429)	(4,826)		(16,744)
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	7,355	5,985	14,710		11,971
Amortization of loss	(15,177)	(17,588)	(30,352)		(35,176)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(7,822)	(11,603)	(15,642)		(23,205)
Income taxes (benefits)	2,779	4,165	3,037		7,332
Consolidated net income	(5,043)	(7,438)	(12,605)		(15,873)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1,870)	(4,588)	(5,615)		(4,788)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	168,235	162,846	329,583		331,757
Income taxes (benefits)	85,090	(53,865)	35,348		(96,667)
Consolidated net income	253,325	108,981	364,931		235,090
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	1,947	1,866	3,894		3,733
Amortization of loss	(1,573)	(2,535)	(3,142)		(5,070)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	374	(669)	752		(1,337)
Income taxes (benefits)	(144)	257	(259)		545
Consolidated net income	$ 230	$ (412)	$ 493		$ (792)

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2016 and 2015 include $10.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.