Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines of Credit and Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 1,870.0
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.40%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	60.3
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.13%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	42.7
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	90
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.26%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	56.5
System Energy VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	100
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	0.00%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 0