Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue		$ 553,367	$ 522,079
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		5,501	(10,587)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		93,814	375,187
Income taxes (benefits)		(7,763)	(139,945)
Consolidated net income	[1]	86,051	235,242
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		26,549	94,214
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		2,045	1,963
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		51,227	153,958
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(250)	(400)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		50,977	153,558
Income taxes (benefits)		(17,841)	(53,745)
Consolidated net income		33,136	99,813
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)		4,010	3,850
Income taxes (benefits)		(1,965)	(1,887)
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		6,562	7,355
Amortization of loss		(21,571)	(15,175)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(15,009)	(7,820)
Income taxes (benefits)		6,377	258
Consolidated net income		(8,632)	(7,562)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(3,024)	(3,745)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		137,303	161,348
Income taxes (benefits)		(42,925)	(49,742)
Consolidated net income		94,378	111,606
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		1,934	1,947
Amortization of loss		(1,332)	(1,569)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		602	378
Income taxes (benefits)		(232)	(115)
Consolidated net income		$ 370	$ 263

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2017 and 2016 include $3.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.