Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 416,300			$ 416,300
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				112,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	78,643			78,643
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				17,584
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	74,991			74,991
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				18,706
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	20,115			20,115
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				4,296
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	5,839			5,839
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				1,458
Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	5,634			5,634
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				1,485
System Energy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Remainder of Fiscal Year	21,730			21,730
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer				5,714
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			$ 61,059
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			56,285
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			15,819
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			4,381
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			4,149
Subsequent Event [Member] | System Energy [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer			$ 16,016
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	4,500	$ 7,600		9,100	$ 11,600
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Payment for Settlement		3,700			3,700
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	83	71		166	144
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	37	41		74	84
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	90	113		180	188
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Payment for Settlement		40			40
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	8	6		16	11
Non Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	$ 117	$ 122		$ 234	$ 246