Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 160,027	$ 633,069	$ 320,598	$ 253,678	$ 233,307	$ 497,901	$ 320,283	$ 218,814	$ 1,367,372	[1]	$ 1,270,305	[1]	$ 1,251,050	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss)									71,239		(11,685)		(2,887)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities									(223,090)		(8,527)		(35,707)
Net unrealized investment gains									21,254		57,523		82,929
Foreign currency translation									357		(338)		(457)
Other comprehensive income (loss)									(130,240)		36,973		43,878
Total comprehensive income									1,237,132		1,307,278		1,294,928
Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries									20,933	[1]	20,063	[1]	19,958	[1]
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation									$ 1,216,199		$ 1,287,215		$ 1,274,970

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2011, 2010 and 2009 include $13.3 million of preferred dividends on subsidiaries' preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.