Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (472,039)	$ (478,739)		$ (390,420)	$ (388,604)		$ (472,039)	$ (390,420)	$ (449,207)	$ (446,920)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(2,187)			(4,783)			(45,372)	117,044
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	8,887			2,967			22,540	(60,544)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,700	21,768	$ (51,300)	(1,816)	10,383	$ 47,933	(22,832)	56,500
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	9,693	11,855		57,560	60,255		9,693	57,560	56,650	25,946
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(2,173)			181			(46,826)	40,439
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	11			(2,876)			(131)	(8,825)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,162)			(2,695)			(46,957)	31,614
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,700	21,768	(51,300)	(1,816)	10,383	47,933
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(480,673)	(489,511)		(468,512)	(485,949)		(480,673)	(468,512)	(534,576)	(557,072)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0			0			0	34,349
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	8,838			17,437			53,903	54,211
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,838			17,437			53,903	88,560
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,059)	(1,083)		20,532	37,090		(1,059)	20,532	28,719	84,206
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(14)			(4,964)			1,454	42,256
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	38			(11,594)			(31,232)	(105,930)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24			(16,558)			(29,778)	(63,674)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,377						4,377		4,327
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(131)	588	(407)	(800)	(945)	9,467	50	7,722
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(131)	588	$ (407)	(800)	(945)	$ 9,467
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,377	$ 4,508		12,284	$ 13,084		4,377	12,284	$ 4,327	$ 4,562
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax							0	10,050
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(131)			(800)			50	(2,328)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (131)			$ (800)			$ 50	$ 7,722