Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,427,179	$ 2,609,584
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	23,389	(64,658)
Income taxes (benefits)	71,194	(42,771)
Consolidated net income	123,294	258,646
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	332,565	433,612
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	56,975	29,024
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48)	(48)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	94,375	51,567
Income taxes (benefits)	(19,819)	(10,829)
Consolidated net income	74,556	40,738
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	94,423	51,615
AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	3,116	(259)
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,147)	95
Consolidated net income	1,969	(164)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	3,719	5,326
Amortization of loss	(27,318)	(18,988)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	0	(1,137)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(23,599)	(14,799)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,049	3,249
Consolidated net income	(19,550)	(11,550)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	930,647	959,330
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	49,601	(42,344)
Income taxes (benefits)	50,183	(16,531)
Consolidated net income	189,396	127,633
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,089	1,838
Amortization of loss	(301)	(527)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	788	1,311
Income taxes (benefits)	(205)	(342)
Consolidated net income	$ 583	$ 969