Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											$ 315
Miscellaneous - net									(42,016)		(59,762)		(53,214)
Total reclassifications before taxes									1,549,854		956,553		899,218
Income taxes									(589,597)		(225,981)		(30,855)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	125,006	234,916	194,281	406,053	151,353	244,182	168,055	166,982	960,257	[1]	730,572	[1]	868,363	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									(113,796)		7,675
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(196,096)		45,454
Income taxes									68,634		(17,084)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									(127,462)		28,370
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(19,185)		(68,871)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									20,294	[2]	10,556	[2]
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment											315	[2]
Amortization of net loss									(35,836)	[2]	(68,130)	[2]
Settlement loss									(3,643)	[2]	(11,612)	[2]
Income taxes									22,390		26,949
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									3,205		(41,922)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain									20,511		41,622
Income taxes									(10,050)		(20,395)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									10,461		21,227
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									(193,297)		47,019
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(2,799)		(1,565)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											41
Miscellaneous - net									8,458		(3,990)		(2,584)
Total reclassifications before taxes									379,801		334,341		152,159
Income taxes									(96,270)		(81,877)		128,922
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	31,665	123,821	69,667	58,378	45,114	100,597	61,377	45,376	283,531		252,464		281,081
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									3,377	[2]	508	[2]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											41	[2]
Total reclassifications before taxes									1,866		(4,501)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									(1,511)		5,050	[2]
Income taxes									(703)		1,873
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									1,163		(2,628)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											91
Miscellaneous - net									(7,608)		(11,567)		(8,928)
Total reclassifications before taxes									251,273		218,481		211,593
Income taxes									(88,782)		(56,819)		(52,616)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	24,313	55,535	36,171	46,472	42,135	62,642	29,720	27,165	162,491		161,662		158,977
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									2,237	[2]	941	[2]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											91	[2]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(889)		(6,612)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									3,126	[2]	7,644	[2]
Income taxes									357		2,818
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									$ (532)		$ (3,794)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2014, 2013, and 2012 include $12.9 million, $12 million, and $15 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.

[2] (a)These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details.