Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 3,353,532			$ 2,903,568			$ 9,020,440	$ 7,743,534
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(16,797)			(58,914)			(140,571)	(129,145)
Income taxes (benefits)	(158,282)			(149,444)			(205,808)	(167,366)
Consolidated net income	535,583	$ (1,394)	$ 339,145	525,699	$ 365,113	$ 123,294	873,333	1,014,105
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	162,309			214,406			559,256	746,706
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(8,887)			(2,967)			(22,540)	60,544
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48)			(48)			(145)	(145)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(48)			14,676			39,534	134,088
Income taxes (benefits)	10			(3,082)			(8,302)	(28,158)
Consolidated net income	(38)			11,594			31,232	105,930
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0			14,724			39,679	134,233
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income taxes (benefits)	6			(1,674)			(76)	(5,138)
Consolidated net income	(11)			2,876			131	8,825
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	(17)			4,550			207	13,963
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,248			5,682			15,744	15,083
Amortization of loss	(13,490)			(27,620)			(75,553)	(82,561)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(3,192)			(196)			(9,235)	(196)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(11,434)			(22,134)			(69,044)	(67,674)
Income taxes (benefits)	2,596			4,697			15,141	13,463
Consolidated net income	(8,838)			(17,437)			(53,903)	(54,211)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,420,708			1,120,022			3,795,950	3,062,321
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(8,924)			(40,025)			(79,595)	(57,235)
Income taxes (benefits)	(56,536)			(49,287)			(120,479)	(35,014)
Consolidated net income	224,475	$ 143,927	$ 166,626	223,466	$ 170,459	$ 189,396	535,028	583,321
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,230			1,695			3,690	4,479
Amortization of loss	(519)			(417)			(1,824)	(1,137)
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Settlement and Curtailment	(534)			(196)			(1,934)	(196)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	177			1,082			(68)	3,146
Income taxes (benefits)	(46)			(282)			18	(818)
Consolidated net income	$ 131			$ 800			$ (50)	$ 2,328