Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue		$ 418,924	$ 553,367
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(31,356)	(15,189)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		179,863	93,814
Income taxes (benefits)		(43,663)	(7,763)
Consolidated net income	[1]	136,200	86,051
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		(6,741)	26,549
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		33,694	2,045
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue		(30,082)	51,227
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(122)	(250)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(30,204)	50,977
Income taxes (benefits)		6,343	(17,841)
Consolidated net income		(23,861)	33,136
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)		53,314	4,010
Income taxes (benefits)		(19,620)	(1,965)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit		5,426	6,562
Amortization of loss		(24,952)	(21,571)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement		(1,616)	0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(21,142)	(15,009)
Income taxes (benefits)		4,568	6,377
Consolidated net income		(16,574)	(8,632)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(7,665)	(9,142)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		133,341	137,303
Income taxes (benefits)		(21,748)	(42,925)
Consolidated net income		111,593	94,378
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [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	1,934
Amortization of loss		(1,257)	(1,332)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		677	602
Income taxes (benefits)		(176)	(232)
Consolidated net income		$ 501	$ 370

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