Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines of Credit and Short-Term Borrowings (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 1,920.0
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.43%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	35.9
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.25%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	29.4
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	90
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.38%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	44.3
System Energy VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	100
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	0.00%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 0