Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (42,307)	$ (29,324)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(8,776)	164,850
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(8,654)	(140,728)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(17,430)	24,122
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(59,737)	(5,202)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	2,669	3,420
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(551)	75
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(551)	75
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	2,118	3,495
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	426,695	337,256
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	12,658	24,723
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(8,655)	(1,734)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,003	22,989
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	430,698	360,245
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(569,789)	(288,223)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	13	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	8,435	(12,696)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,448	(12,696)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(561,341)	(300,919)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	98,118	(81,777)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(20,896)	140,052
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(8,434)	(126,298)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(29,330)	13,754
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	68,788	(68,023)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(53,347)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	422	122
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(52,925)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(53,347)	(28,202)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	422	122
Other comprehensive income (loss)	422	122
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(52,925)	(28,080)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(25,876)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(42)	(302)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(25,918)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(25,876)	(9,635)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(42)	(302)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(42)	(302)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (25,918)	$ (9,937)