Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized In The Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$ (66,184)	$ (61,240)
Non-current liabilities	(2,798,265)	(2,616,085)
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,232,619	1,563,487
Service cost	18,699	27,129	$ 26,915
Interest cost	47,901	50,725	55,838
Actuarial (gain)/loss	23,673	(346,429)
Employee contributions	38,640	37,049
Benefits Paid	(109,223)	(99,785)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	594	443
Balance at end of year	1,252,903	1,232,619	1,563,487
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	609,782	659,327
Actual return on plan assets	100,445	(30,582)
Employer contributions	46,618	43,773
Employee contributions	38,640	37,049
Benefits Paid	(109,223)	(99,785)
Fair value of assets at end of year	686,262	609,782	659,327
Funded status	(566,641)	(622,837)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(48,040)	(44,276)
Non-current liabilities	(518,601)	(578,561)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	(11,899)	(25,778)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	5,081	(51,774)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax		25,996
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Liability Before Tax	(16,980)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(21,231)	(42,730)
Net loss	(16,670)	(33,569)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	(37,901)	(76,299)
Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	7,404,917	7,987,087
Service cost	134,193	155,010
Interest cost	293,114	267,415
Actuarial (gain)/loss	1,292,767	(395,242)
Benefits Paid	(718,788)	(609,353)
Balance at end of year	8,406,203	7,404,917	7,987,087
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	5,497,415	6,071,316
Actual return on plan assets	1,093,114	(348,051)
Employer contributions	399,419	383,503
Benefits Paid	(718,788)	(609,353)
Fair value of assets at end of year	6,271,160	5,497,415	6,071,316
Funded status	(2,135,043)	(1,907,502)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(2,135,043)	(1,907,502)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(2,831,408)	(2,468,987)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	724,575	737,004
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(319,075)	(313,295)
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	187,830	249,019
Service cost	2,363	3,170	3,451
Interest cost	7,226	7,986	9,020
Actuarial (gain)/loss	166	(61,960)
Employee contributions	8,125	8,136
Benefits Paid	(20,048)	(18,581)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	82	60
Balance at end of year	185,744	187,830	249,019
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	252,055	274,678
Actual return on plan assets	42,835	(12,373)
Employer contributions	1,257	195
Employee contributions	8,125	8,136
Benefits Paid	(20,048)	(18,581)
Fair value of assets at end of year	284,224	252,055	274,678
Funded status	98,480	64,225
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	98,480	64,225
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	(6,515)	(11,465)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	18,262	(9,021)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Liability Before Tax	(24,777)	(2,444)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,443,808	1,580,756
Service cost	21,043	24,757
Interest cost	56,701	52,017
Actuarial (gain)/loss	248,213	(79,621)
Benefits Paid	(154,681)	(134,101)
Balance at end of year	1,615,084	1,443,808	1,580,756
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	1,068,842	1,205,668
Actual return on plan assets	210,020	(66,787)
Employer contributions	75,854	64,062
Benefits Paid	(154,681)	(134,101)
Fair value of assets at end of year	1,200,035	1,068,842	1,205,668
Funded status	(415,049)	(374,966)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(415,049)	(374,966)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(799,235)	(727,703)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(677,619)	(643,171)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	275,269	345,389
Service cost	4,639	6,225	6,373
Interest cost	10,664	11,154	12,101
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(2,220)	(73,249)
Employee contributions	8,876	8,162
Benefits Paid	(23,160)	(22,476)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	107	64
Balance at end of year	274,175	275,269	345,389
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	14,284	14,314
Employee contributions	8,876	8,162
Benefits Paid	(23,160)	(22,476)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(274,175)	(275,269)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(18,467)	(17,740)
Non-current liabilities	(255,708)	(257,529)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax	0	0
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(4,915)	(12,264)
Net loss	(24,739)	(23,214)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	(29,654)	(35,478)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,599,916	1,785,700
Service cost	29,137	33,783
Interest cost	63,529	59,761
Actuarial (gain)/loss	248,509	(133,520)
Benefits Paid	(156,617)	(145,808)
Balance at end of year	1,784,474	1,599,916	1,785,700
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	1,215,926	1,365,741
Actual return on plan assets	239,770	(75,926)
Employer contributions	64,951	71,919
Benefits Paid	(156,617)	(145,808)
Fair value of assets at end of year	1,364,030	1,215,926	1,365,741
Funded status	(420,444)	(383,990)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(420,444)	(383,990)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(759,228)	(686,138)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	23,481	43,796
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(99,406)	(93,100)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	68,976	84,621
Service cost	1,046	1,284	1,160
Interest cost	2,681	2,731	2,759
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(3,778)	(16,762)
Employee contributions	2,197	2,233
Benefits Paid	(5,159)	(5,145)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	16	14
Balance at end of year	65,979	68,976	84,621
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	75,853	82,433
Actual return on plan assets	12,966	(3,755)
Employer contributions	228	87
Employee contributions	2,197	2,233
Benefits Paid	(5,159)	(5,145)
Fair value of assets at end of year	86,085	75,853	82,433
Funded status	20,106	6,877
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	20,106	6,877
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	(3,108)	(4,864)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(3,272)	(15,945)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax	164	11,081
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	414,089	457,549
Service cost	6,516	7,286
Interest cost	16,272	15,075
Actuarial (gain)/loss	79,453	(26,611)
Benefits Paid	(44,820)	(39,210)
Balance at end of year	471,510	414,089	457,549
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	316,716	360,842
Actual return on plan assets	62,238	(19,849)
Employer contributions	20,794	14,933
Benefits Paid	(44,820)	(39,210)
Fair value of assets at end of year	354,928	316,716	360,842
Funded status	(116,582)	(97,373)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(116,582)	(97,373)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(225,354)	(196,683)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	41,987	53,548
Service cost	367	516	567
Interest cost	1,581	1,669	1,874
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(4,234)	(10,847)
Employee contributions	1,343	1,171
Benefits Paid	(2,598)	(4,078)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	14	8
Balance at end of year	38,460	41,987	53,548
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	81,774	85,504
Actual return on plan assets	11,680	(4,616)
Employer contributions	1,659	3,793
Employee contributions	1,343	1,171
Benefits Paid	(2,598)	(4,078)
Fair value of assets at end of year	93,858	81,774	85,504
Funded status	55,398	39,787
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	55,398	39,787
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	0	(681)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	8,046	(3,151)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax		2,470
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Liability Before Tax	(8,046)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	191,190	217,896
Service cost	2,274	2,693
Interest cost	7,495	7,253
Actuarial (gain)/loss	24,299	(18,844)
Benefits Paid	(18,296)	(17,808)
Balance at end of year	206,962	191,190	217,896
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	145,968	165,747
Actual return on plan assets	28,552	(9,221)
Employer contributions	4,553	7,250
Benefits Paid	(18,296)	(17,808)
Fair value of assets at end of year	160,777	145,968	165,747
Funded status	(46,185)	(45,222)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(46,185)	(45,222)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(91,862)	(91,448)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	88,310	116,702
Service cost	943	1,319	1,488
Interest cost	3,415	3,754	4,494
Actuarial (gain)/loss	8,279	(27,527)
Employee contributions	2,602	2,565
Benefits Paid	(8,830)	(8,516)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	23	13
Balance at end of year	94,742	88,310	116,702
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	144,846	154,171
Actual return on plan assets	23,788	(7,182)
Employer contributions		3,808
Defined Benefit Plan Refund to Employer	(596)
Employee contributions	2,602	2,565
Benefits Paid	(8,830)	(8,516)
Fair value of assets at end of year	161,810	144,846	154,171
Funded status	67,068	56,536
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	67,068	56,536
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	(1,422)	(3,665)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(6,203)	(13,094)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax	4,781	9,429
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	369,604	410,720
Service cost	5,401	6,356
Interest cost	14,451	13,390
Actuarial (gain)/loss	49,235	(21,656)
Benefits Paid	(41,927)	(39,206)
Balance at end of year	396,764	369,604	410,720
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	315,514	363,523
Actual return on plan assets	61,814	(19,686)
Employer contributions	3,725	10,883
Benefits Paid	(41,927)	(39,206)
Fair value of assets at end of year	339,126	315,514	363,523
Funded status	(57,638)	(54,090)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(57,638)	(54,090)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(160,564)	(159,030)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
System Energy [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(109,816)	(98,639)
System Energy [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	48,791	61,381
Service cost	973	1,223	1,278
Interest cost	1,902	1,998	2,236
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(891)	(11,985)
Employee contributions	1,765	1,837
Benefits Paid	(5,229)	(5,685)
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received (Deprecated 2017-01-31)	37	22
Balance at end of year	47,348	48,791	61,381
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	43,670	49,124
Actual return on plan assets	7,436	(2,175)
Employer contributions	829	569
Employee contributions	1,765	1,837
Benefits Paid	(5,229)	(5,685)
Fair value of assets at end of year	48,471	43,670	49,124
Funded status	1,123	(5,121)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan	1,123
Non-current liabilities		(5,121)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Before Tax	(854)	(2,304)
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(2,881)	(8,774)
Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Asset Before Tax	2,027	6,470
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	339,034	384,049
Service cost	6,199	7,102
Interest cost	13,456	12,907
Actuarial (gain)/loss	66,460	(37,842)
Benefits Paid	(31,542)	(27,182)
Balance at end of year	393,607	339,034	384,049
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	245,516	274,432
Actual return on plan assets	48,460	(15,520)
Employer contributions	20,234	13,786
Benefits Paid	(31,542)	(27,182)
Fair value of assets at end of year	282,668	245,516	$ 274,432
Funded status	(110,939)	(93,518)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(110,939)	(93,518)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset (before tax) [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Asset, Gain (Loss) before Tax	(193,870)	(168,559)
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	$ 0	$ 0