Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									$ (252,539)	$ (129,754)	$ (113,426)
Total reclassifications before taxes									1,088,419	(174,271)	967,923
Investment Income, Net									547,912	63,864	288,197
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(169,825)	(1,036,826)	542,570
Consolidated net income	$ 389,606	$ 369,459	$ 240,533	$ 258,646	$ (62,323)	$ 539,818	$ 248,860	$ 136,200	1,258,244	862,555	425,353
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income									13,306	(135,275)
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									96,355	(68,394)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									20,234	(14,363)
Consolidated net income									76,121	(54,031)
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									(87,101)	(80,693)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									21,300	21,700
Amortization of net loss									(83,246)	(99,186)
Settlement loss									(25,155)	(3,207)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(18,555)	(17,252)
Consolidated net income									(68,546)	(63,441)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment Income, Net									9,069	(28,170)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									3,338	(10,367)
Consolidated net income									5,731	(17,803)
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									96,549	(68,067)
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									(194)	(327)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(115,427)	(27,530)	(39,756)
Total reclassifications before taxes									813,160	621,003	801,645
Investment Income, Net									231,985	141,882	164,550
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									121,623	(54,611)	485,298
Consolidated net income	$ 125,560	$ 255,260	$ 183,084	$ 127,633	$ 161,355	$ 218,308	$ 184,358	$ 111,593	691,537	675,614	$ 316,347
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]
Amortization of prior service credit									7,349	7,735
Total reclassifications before taxes									5,243	2,710
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)									(2,106)	(5,025)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									1,367	707
Consolidated net income									$ 3,876	$ 2,003