Leases (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Waterford 3 Lease Obligations [Member] \| Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Future minimum lease payments in connection with sale and leaseback transactions
2012	$ 39,067
2013	26,301
2014	31,036
2015	28,827
2016	16,938
Years thereafter	106,335
Total	248,504
Less: Amount representing interest	60,249
Present value of net minimum lease payments	188,255
Grand Gulf Lease Obligations [Member] \| System Energy [Member]
Future minimum lease payments in connection with sale and leaseback transactions
2012	49,959
2013	50,546
2014	51,637
2015	52,253
2016	0
Years thereafter	0
Total	204,395
Less: Amount representing interest	25,611
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$ 178,784

The interest portion of minimum lease payments required under transactions involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller accounted for as capital leases, under the deposit method, or as a financing that represents the finance cost of the arrangement.

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