Common Equity (Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (42,307)	$ (29,324)	$ (293,083)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(126,779)	271,434
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	113,796	(7,675)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(12,983)	263,759	(124,631)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	98,118	(81,777)	79,905
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	52,433	(133,312)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	127,462	(28,370)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	179,895	(161,682)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(569,789)	(288,223)	(590,712)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(278,361)	260,567
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,205)	41,922
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(281,566)	302,489
Net unrealized investment gains [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	426,695	337,256	214,547
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	99,900	143,936
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(10,461)	(21,227)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	89,439	122,709
Foreign currency translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	2,669	3,420	3,177
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(751)	243
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(751)	243
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(25,876)	(9,635)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(16,241)	36,497	(6,625)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(25,876)	(9,635)	(46,132)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(15,078)	33,869
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,163)	2,628
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(16,241)	36,497
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(53,347)	(28,202)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	(25,145)	37,027	4,381
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(53,347)	(28,202)	(65,229)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(25,677)	33,233
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	532	3,794
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	$ (25,145)	$ 37,027