Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 475,345	$ 521,746	$ 1,341,534		$ 1,603,643
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(6,740)	(10,005)	(25,702)		(34,769)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	651,110	(1,085,898)	1,349,914		(378,995)
Income taxes (benefits)	(257,906)	367,665	(148,879)		117,412
Consolidated net income (loss)	393,204	(718,233)	1,201,035	[1]	(261,583)	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)	20,818	51,373	142,693		111,461
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 (loss)	1,672	3,206	6,696		20,633
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	37,550	86,020	237,483		177,129
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(334)	(477)	(1,104)		(1,533)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	37,216	85,543	236,379		175,596
Income taxes (benefits)	(13,026)	(29,939)	(82,733)		(61,458)
Consolidated net income (loss)	24,190	55,604	153,646		114,138
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)	3,279	6,286	13,129		40,457
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,607)	(3,080)	(6,433)		(19,824)
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]
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	(1,279)		(1,279)
Amortization of prior-service credit	7,354	5,985	22,064		17,956
Amortization of loss	(15,183)	(17,588)	(45,535)		(52,764)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(9,108)	(11,603)	(24,750)		(34,808)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,064	4,166	7,101		11,498
Consolidated net income (loss)	(5,044)	(7,437)	(17,649)		(23,310)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(4,429)	(2,976)	(10,044)		(7,764)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	289,047	273,208	618,630		604,965
Income taxes (benefits)	(99,541)	(86,068)	(64,193)		(182,735)
Consolidated net income (loss)	189,506	187,140	554,437		422,230
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 credit	1,947	1,866	5,841		5,599
Amortization of loss	(1,570)	(2,536)	(4,712)		(7,606)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	377	(670)	1,129		(2,007)
Income taxes (benefits)	(145)	258	(404)		803
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 232	$ (412)	$ 725		$ (1,204)

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2016 and 2015 include $15.6 million and $9.6 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.