Rate and Regulatory Matters (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Entergy Arkansas
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	$ 156
Entergy Arkansas | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	252
Entergy Arkansas | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	252
Entergy Arkansas | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	390
Entergy Arkansas | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	41
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(75)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(120)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(124)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(107)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(91)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(36)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(140)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(22)
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(33)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(41)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(20)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(24)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(19)
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(5)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(7)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	0
Entergy Texas [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(43)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Production cost based on 2006 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(30)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Production cost based on 2007 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(65)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Production cost based on 2008 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	(119)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Production cost based on 2009 [Member]
Payments/receipts among the Utility operating companies to achieve rough production cost equalization
Estimated Payments or (Receipts)	$ 0