Common Equity (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	$ 11,440	$ (43,922)	$ 51,258
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(83,484)	(171,850)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	94,924	127,928
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(23,531)	(34,971)	8,951
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(41,470)	(101,977)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(70,072)	(189,717)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	28,602	87,740
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(37,477)	3,993	105,970
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(61,653)	(2,842)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	42,376	24,155
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(104,029)	(26,997)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(531,099)	(469,446)	(466,604)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	115,311	62,177
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(55,788)	(6,288)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	171,099	68,465
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	545,045	429,734	367,557
Foreign currency translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(748)	(1,280)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(748)	(1,280)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	0	748	2,028
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	2,042	7,970	22,811
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(46,400)	(48,442)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	2,042	7,970
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,420)	(956)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,462	8,926
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (46,400)	$ (48,442)	$ (56,412)