Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,822,070		$ 2,412,788		$ 5,666,907	$ 4,839,967
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(62,844)		(93,620)		(123,773)	(70,232)
Income taxes (benefits)	18,416		(89,115)		(47,526)	(17,921)
Consolidated net income	(1,394)	$ 339,145	365,113	$ 123,294	337,750	488,406
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	148,697		199,736		396,947	532,300
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(21,134)		17,052		(13,654)	113,664
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)		(97)	(97)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	264		25,038		39,582	119,412
Income taxes (benefits)	(56)		5,258		(8,313)	25,077
Consolidated net income	208		30,296		31,269	144,489
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	312		25,086		39,679	119,509
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]
Income taxes (benefits)	(440)		(2,317)		(82)	(3,464)
Consolidated net income	756		3,980		142	5,949
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	1,196		6,297		224	9,413
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		5,682		10,496	9,401
Amortization of loss	(27,534)		(27,619)		(62,063)	(54,937)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(6,043)		0		(6,043)	0
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(28,329)		(21,937)		(57,610)	(45,536)
Income taxes (benefits)	6,231		4,713		12,545	8,762
Consolidated net income	(22,098)		(17,224)		(45,065)	(36,774)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,267,598		1,011,652		2,375,242	1,942,299
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(36,033)		(66,811)		(70,671)	(17,210)
Income taxes (benefits)	(26,171)		(35,910)		(63,943)	14,273
Consolidated net income	143,927	$ 166,626	170,459	$ 189,396	310,553	359,855
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		1,698		2,460	2,787
Amortization of loss	(626)		(419)		(1,305)	(720)
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Settlement and Curtailment	(1,400)		0		(1,400)	0
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(796)		1,279		(245)	2,067
Income taxes (benefits)	208		(334)		64	(539)
Consolidated net income	$ (588)		$ 945		$ (181)	$ 1,528