Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit And Short-Term Borrowings (Issuance Of Commercial Paper To Finance Acquisition And Ownership Of Nuclear Fuel) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 1,465,000
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.45%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	12,500
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	85,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.37%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	16,700
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	90,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.27%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	29,400
System Energy VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	100,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.38%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 69,200