Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textual) [Abstract]
Payments on lease, including interest	$ 39.1	$ 50.4	$ 35.1
System Energy [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textual) [Abstract]
Payments on lease, including interest	$ 50.0	$ 49.4	$ 48.6