Common Equity Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									$ (210,633)	$ (252,539)	$ (129,754)
Total reclassifications before taxes									1,285,147	1,088,419	(174,271)
Investment Income, Net									392,818	547,912	63,864
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(121,506)	(169,825)	(1,036,826)
Consolidated net income	$ 392,547	$ 525,699	$ 365,113	$ 123,294	$ 389,606	$ 369,459	$ 240,533	$ 258,646	1,406,653	1,258,244	862,555
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income									55,456	13,306
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									147,360	96,355
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									30,945	20,234
Consolidated net income									116,415	76,121
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(89,659)	(87,101)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									20,769	21,300
Amortization of net loss									(110,185)	(83,246)
Settlement loss									(243)	(25,155)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(18,050)	(18,555)
Consolidated net income									(71,609)	(68,546)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment Income, Net									16,851	9,069
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									6,201	3,338
Consolidated net income									10,650	5,731
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									147,554	96,549
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(194)	(194)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(116,366)	(115,427)	(27,530)
Total reclassifications before taxes									700,028	813,160	621,003
Investment Income, Net									225,627	231,985	141,882
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(382,324)	121,623	(54,611)
Consolidated net income	$ 499,031	$ 223,466	$ 170,459	$ 189,396	$ 125,560	$ 255,260	$ 183,084	$ 127,633	1,082,352	691,537	$ 675,614
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credit									6,179	7,349
Total reclassifications before taxes									4,379	5,243
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)									(1,557)	(2,106)
Settlement loss									(243)	0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									1,142	1,367
Consolidated net income									$ 3,237	$ 3,876