Business Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset Write-Offs, Impairments, And Related Charges		$ 491,739	$ 357,251	$ 2,835,637
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring costs incurred, pre-tax		139,000	113,000	$ 95,000
Asset Write-Offs, Impairments, And Related Charges		532,000	$ 538,000
Projected Severance and Employee Retention Costs for 2018		120,000
Projected Severance and Employee Retention Costs for 2019-2022		$ 110,000
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member] | Pilgrim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent of Equity Interest to be included in nuclear plant purchase and sale agreement	100.00%
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member] | Palisades [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent of Equity Interest to be included in nuclear plant purchase and sale agreement	100.00%