Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines of Credit and Short-Term Borrowings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	$ 3,451
Borrowings	1,920.0
Letters of credit	28
Capacity Available	1,503
Credit facilities
Amount of Facility	3,451
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	1,920.0
Entergy Arkansas
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	78
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	April 2012
Amount of Facility	78
Interest Rate	3.25%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	0
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	250
Borrowings	0
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	100
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	August 2012
Amount of Facility	100
Interest Rate	0.71%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	0
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	200
Borrowings	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	200
Borrowings	50.0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	August 2012
Amount of Facility	200
Interest Rate	0.67%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	50.0
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	250
Borrowings	168
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	175
Borrowings	2
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	100
Borrowings	0
Entergy Texas [Member]
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	100
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	August 2012
Amount of Facility	100
Interest Rate	0.77%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	0
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	200
Borrowings	0
System Energy [Member]
Short-term borrowings and the outstanding short-term borrowings
Authorized	200
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities One [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	35
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	May 2012
Amount of Facility	35
Interest Rate	2.05%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	0
Credit facilities Two [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	25
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	May 2012
Amount of Facility	25
Interest Rate	2.05%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	0
Credit facilities Three [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Summary of the borrowings outstanding and capacity available under the facility
Capacity	10
Borrowings	0
Credit facilities
Expiration Date	May 2012
Amount of Facility	10
Interest Rate	2.05%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 0