Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 439,306	$ 587,339	$ 1,081,896		$ 1,491,498
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(15,743)	(14,675)	(24,764)		(26,379)
Realized gain (loss)	39,705	24,245	107,839		59,493
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	253,503	323,024	706,903		946,043
Income taxes (benefits)	(99,781)	(128,743)	(250,252)		(345,709)
Consolidated net income	153,722	194,281	456,651	[1]	600,334	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	51,434	(2,388)	60,088		(114,644)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	8,772	1,572	17,427		3,306
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	77,587	(672)	91,109		(195,275)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(510)	(99)	(1,056)		(397)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	77,077	(771)	90,053		(195,672)
Income taxes (benefits)	(26,977)	270	(31,519)		68,485
Consolidated net income	50,100	(501)	58,534		(127,187)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	17,201	3,083	34,171		6,483
Income taxes (benefits)	(8,429)	(1,511)	(16,744)		(3,177)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,985	5,075	11,971		10,153
Amortization of loss	(17,588)	(8,970)	(35,176)		(17,951)
Settlement loss		(1,386)			(2,548)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(11,603)	(5,281)	(23,205)		(10,346)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,165	1,822	7,332		19,583
Consolidated net income	(7,438)	(3,459)	(15,873)		9,237
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1,807)	(3,649)	(2,544)		(5,367)
Realized gain (loss)	9,078	7,436	22,689		17,493
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	53,311	56,700	126,944		129,744
Income taxes (benefits)	(19,348)	(20,529)	(39,136)		(47,101)
Consolidated net income	33,963	36,171	87,808		82,643
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,021	559	2,043		1,118
Amortization of loss	(1,733)	(781)	(3,466)		(1,563)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(712)	(222)	(1,423)		(445)
Income taxes (benefits)	274	85	563		186
Consolidated net income	(438)	(137)	(860)		(259)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(2,781)	1,311	(2,244)		1,142
Realized gain (loss)	25,703	21,086	52,108		42,264
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	109,535	96,156	204,813		174,873
Income taxes (benefits)	(34,517)	(26,489)	(57,531)		(46,828)
Consolidated net income	75,018	69,667	147,282		128,045
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	845	845	1,690		1,689
Amortization of loss	(802)	(378)	(1,604)		(756)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	43	467	86		933
Income taxes (benefits)	(17)	(180)	(18)		(344)
Consolidated net income	$ 26	$ 287	$ 68		$ 589

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2015 and 2014 include $6.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.