Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,844,838	$ 2,427,179
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(60,929)	23,389
Income taxes (benefits)	(65,942)	71,194
Consolidated net income	339,145	123,294
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	248,250	332,565
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	7,481	56,975
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]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48)	(48)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	39,319	94,375
Income taxes (benefits)	(8,257)	(19,819)
Consolidated net income	31,062	74,556
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	39,367	94,423
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)	(972)	3,116
Income taxes (benefits)	358	(1,147)
Consolidated net income	(614)	1,969
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	5,248	3,719
Amortization of loss	(34,529)	(27,318)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(29,281)	(23,599)
Income taxes (benefits)	6,314	4,049
Consolidated net income	(22,967)	(19,550)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,107,644	930,647
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(34,638)	49,601
Income taxes (benefits)	(37,772)	50,183
Consolidated net income	166,626	189,396
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	1,230	1,089
Amortization of loss	(679)	(301)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	551	788
Income taxes (benefits)	(144)	(205)
Consolidated net income	$ 407	$ 583