Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 904,160		$ 606,273
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(11,704)		(13,623)
Realized gain	35,248		38,306
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	623,019		283,518
Income taxes (benefits)	216,966		116,536
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	406,053		166,982	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	140,728		(10,386)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	194,305		(2,522)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	126,298		(1,586)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	1,734		995
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(5,065)		(15,664)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	12,696		(9,795)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	194,603		(2,117)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(298)		(405)
Income taxes (benefits)	(68,007)		936
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain	3,400		1,951
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,666)		(956)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service costs	5,078	[2]	2,384	[2]
Amortization of loss	(8,981)	[2]	(18,048)	[2]
Settlement loss	(1,162)	[2]
Income taxes (benefits)	17,761		5,869
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1,718)		(2,640)
Realized gain	10,057		10,855
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	73,044		42,440
Income taxes (benefits)	26,572		15,275
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	46,472		27,165
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service costs			206	[2]
Amortization of loss			(1,947)	[2]
Income taxes (benefits)			786
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service costs	559	[2]
Amortization of loss	(782)	[2]
Income taxes (benefits)	101
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(169)		(860)
Realized gain	21,178		21,789
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	78,717		57,418
Income taxes (benefits)	20,339		12,042
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	58,378		45,376
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service costs			62	[2]
Amortization of loss			(1,287)	[2]
Income taxes (benefits)			547
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service costs	844	[2]
Amortization of loss	(378)	[2]
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	466		(1,225)
Income taxes (benefits)	(164)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	302		(678)
Entergy Gulf States [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(223)		(1,741)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	$ (122)		$ (955)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2014 and 2013 include $3.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.

[2] These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 6 to the financial statements herein for additional details.