Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax										$ (374)
Miscellaneous - net										(95,997)		$ (42,016)		$ (59,762)
Total reclassifications before taxes										(799,661)		1,549,854		956,553
Income taxes										642,927		(589,597)		(225,981)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)		$ 104,849	$ (718,233)	$ 153,722	$ 302,929	$ 125,006	$ 234,916	$ 194,281	$ 406,053	(156,734)	[1]	960,257	[1]	730,572	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)										(166,771)		(113,796)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes										(245,526)		(196,096)
Income taxes										85,934		68,634
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)										(159,592)		(127,462)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes										(48,151)		(19,185)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	[2]									23,920		20,294
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment	[2]									(374)
Amortization of net loss	[2]									(70,296)		(35,836)
Settlement loss	[2]									(1,401)		(3,643)
Income taxes										16,020		22,390
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)										(32,131)		3,205
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain										48,926		20,511
Income taxes										(23,974)		(10,050)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)										24,952		10,461
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues										(243,555)		(193,297)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net										(1,971)		(2,799)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net										(13,190)		850		(15,557)
Total reclassifications before taxes										625,310		631,074		552,822
Income taxes										(178,671)		(185,052)		(138,696)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)		$ 24,409	$ 187,140	$ 108,981	$ 126,109	$ 55,978	$ 179,356	$ 105,838	$ 104,850	446,639		446,022		$ 414,126
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	[3]									7,464		5,614
Total reclassifications before taxes										(2,690)		977
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	[3]									(10,140)		4,637
Settlement loss	[3]									(14)
Income taxes										1,059		(346)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)										$ (1,631)		$ 631

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2015, 2014, and 2013 include $14.9 million, $12.9 million, and $12 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.

[2] (a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details.

[3] (a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details.