Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Reconciliation of Entergy's investments in equity affiliates
Beginning of year	$ 40,697,000	$ 39,580,000	$ 66,247,000
Loss from the investments	(88,000)	(2,469,000)	(7,793,000)
Dispositions and other adjustments	4,267,000	3,586,000	(18,874,000)
End of year	44,876,000	40,697,000	39,580,000
Equity Method Investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Investment in Entergy - Koch, cash distribution received	0
Purchase of electricity generated	$ 41,100,000	$ 50,800,000	$ 49,300,000
Entergy Koch [Member]
Investments of Entergy in companies that it accounts for under the equity method of accounting
Percent of acquisition	50.00%
Description of ownership	Entergy-Koch was in the energy commodity marketing and trading business and gas transportation and storage business until the fourth quarter 2004 when these businesses were sold.
Rs Cogen LLC [Member]
Investments of Entergy in companies that it accounts for under the equity method of accounting
Percent of acquisition	50.00%
Description of ownership	Co-generation project that produces power and steam on an industrial and merchant basis in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area.
Top Deer [Member]
Investments of Entergy in companies that it accounts for under the equity method of accounting
Percent of acquisition	50.00%
Description of ownership	Wind-powered electric generation joint venture.