Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue		$ 522,079	$ 642,590
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(10,587)	(9,020)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		375,187	453,400
Income taxes (benefits)		(139,945)	(150,471)
Consolidated net income	[1]	235,242	302,929
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income		94,214	8,654
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		1,963	8,655
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		153,958	13,522
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(400)	(546)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		153,558	12,976
Income taxes (benefits)		(53,745)	(4,542)
Consolidated net income		99,813	8,434
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)		3,850	16,970
Income taxes (benefits)		(1,887)	(8,315)
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		7,355	5,986
Amortization of loss		(15,175)	(17,588)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(7,820)	(11,602)
Income taxes (benefits)		258	3,167
Consolidated net income		(7,562)	(8,435)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)		(3,745)	(200)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		161,348	168,911
Income taxes (benefits)		(49,742)	(42,802)
Consolidated net income		111,606	126,109
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		1,947	1,867
Amortization of loss		(1,569)	(2,535)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		378	(668)
Income taxes (benefits)		(115)	288
Consolidated net income		$ 263	$ (380)

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2016 and 2015 include $5.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.