Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (59,737)	$ (5,202)	$ (42,307)	$ (29,324)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	64,355	33,882	55,579	(54,252)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(51,434)	2,388	(60,088)	114,644
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,921	36,270	(4,509)	60,392
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(46,816)	31,068	(46,816)	31,068
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	2,118	3,495	2,669	3,420
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	667	320	116	395
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	667	320	116	395
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	2,785	3,815	2,785	3,815
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	430,698	360,245	426,695	337,256
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(25,108)	40,807	(12,450)	65,530
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(8,772)	(1,572)	(17,427)	(3,306)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(33,880)	39,235	(29,877)	62,224
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	396,818	399,480	396,818	399,480
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(561,341)	(300,919)	(569,789)	(288,223)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	13	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	7,438	3,459	15,873	(9,237)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,438	3,459	15,886	(9,237)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(553,903)	(297,460)	(553,903)	(297,460)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	68,788	(68,023)	98,118	(81,777)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	88,796	(7,245)	67,900	(120,177)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(50,100)	501	(58,534)	127,187
Other comprehensive income (loss)	38,696	(6,744)	9,366	7,010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	107,484	(74,767)	107,484	(74,767)
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)	438	137	860	259
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(52,487)		(52,487)
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	(52,925)	(28,080)	(53,347)	(28,202)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	438	137	860	259
Other comprehensive income (loss)	438	137	860	259
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(52,487)	(27,943)	(52,487)	(27,943)
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)	(26)	(287)	(68)	(589)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(25,944)		(25,944)
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	(25,918)	(9,937)	(25,876)	(9,635)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(26)	(287)	(68)	(589)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(26)	(287)	(68)	(589)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (25,944)	$ (10,224)	$ (25,944)	$ (10,224)