Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 642,590		$ 904,160
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(9,020)		(11,704)
Realized gain (loss)	68,133		35,248
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	453,400		623,019
Income taxes (benefits)	(150,471)		(216,966)
Consolidated net income	302,929	[1]	406,053	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	8,654		140,728
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	8,655		1,734
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	13,522		194,603
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(546)		(298)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	12,976		194,305
Income taxes (benefits)	(4,542)		(68,007)
Consolidated net income	8,434		126,298
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 (loss)	16,970		3,400
Income taxes (benefits)	8,315		1,666
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	5,986		5,078
Amortization of loss	(17,588)		(8,981)
Settlement loss			(1,162)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(11,602)		(5,065)
Income taxes (benefits)	3,167		17,761
Consolidated net income	(8,435)		12,696
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(737)		(1,718)
Realized gain (loss)	13,611		10,057
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	73,633		73,044
Income taxes (benefits)	(19,788)		(26,572)
Consolidated net income	53,845		46,472
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	1,022		559
Amortization of loss	(1,733)		(782)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(711)		(223)
Income taxes (benefits)	289		101
Consolidated net income	(422)		(122)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	537		(169)
Realized gain (loss)	26,405		21,178
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	95,278		78,717
Income taxes (benefits)	(23,014)		(20,339)
Consolidated net income	72,264		58,378
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	845		844
Amortization of loss	(802)		(378)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	43		466
Income taxes (benefits)	(1)		(164)
Consolidated net income	$ 42		$ 302

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2015 and 2014 include $3.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.