Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ 52,773	$ (9,155)	$ (34,971)	$ 8,951
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	63,514	68,109	197,174	171,878
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(4,609)	(20,818)	(50,525)	(142,693)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	58,905	47,291	146,649	29,185
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	111,678	38,136	111,678	38,136
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	0	840	748	2,028
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	(92)	(748)	(1,280)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	(92)	(748)	(1,280)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	0	748	0	748
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	479,257	411,581	429,734	367,557
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	35,630	23,039	109,372	72,087
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2,235)	(1,672)	(26,454)	(6,696)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	33,395	21,367	82,918	65,391
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	512,652	432,948	512,652	432,948
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(449,898)	(453,999)	(469,446)	(466,604)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	12,297	5,044	31,845	17,649
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,297	5,044	31,845	17,649
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(437,601)	(448,955)	(437,601)	(448,955)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	23,414	32,423	3,993	105,970
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	27,884	45,162	88,550	101,071
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(14,671)	(24,190)	(55,916)	(153,646)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13,213	20,972	32,634	(52,575)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	36,627	53,395	36,627	53,395
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(48,442)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(370)	(232)	(1,050)	(725)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(49,492)		(49,492)
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	(49,122)	(56,905)	(48,442)	(56,412)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(370)	(232)	(1,050)	(725)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(370)	(232)	(1,050)	(725)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (49,492)	$ (57,137)	$ (49,492)	$ (57,137)