Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Securitization property	$ 989,503	$ 1,009,103
Securitization bonds	1,048,894	1,070,556
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	254,752,788	254,752,788
Treasury stock, shares	77,601,080	78,396,988
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Securitization property	102,656	105,762
Securitization bonds	113,762	113,761
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	325,000,000	325,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	46,980,196	46,980,196
Common stock, shares outstanding	46,980,196	46,980,196
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Securitization property	192,931	198,445
Securitization bonds	207,123	207,123
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized	12,000,000	12,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,666,357	8,666,357
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,666,357	8,666,357
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 4	$ 4
Common stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	8,435,900	8,435,900
Common stock, shares outstanding	8,435,900	8,435,900
Entergy Texas [Member]
Securitization property	693,916	704,896
Securitization bonds	$ 728,010	$ 749,673
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	46,525,000	46,525,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	46,525,000	46,525,000
System Energy [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	789,350	789,350
Common stock, shares outstanding	789,350	789,350