Business Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset Write-Offs, Impairments, And Related Charges	$ 357,251	$ 2,835,637	$ 2,104,906
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring costs incurred, pre-tax	113,000	95,000
Asset Write-Offs, Impairments, And Related Charges	538,000	$ 2,836,000
Projected Severance and Employee Retention Costs for 2018	165,000
Projected Severance and Employee Retention Costs for 2019-2022	$ 205,000