Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (9,155)	$ (46,816)	$ 8,951	$ (42,307)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	68,109	(19,609)	171,878	35,970
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(20,818)	(51,373)	(142,693)	(111,461)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	47,291	(70,982)	29,185	(75,491)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	38,136	(117,798)	38,136	(117,798)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	840	2,785	2,028	2,669
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(92)	(469)	(1,280)	(353)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(92)	(469)	(1,280)	(353)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	748	2,316	748	2,316
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	411,581	396,818	367,557	426,695
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	23,039	(50,760)	72,087	(63,210)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(1,672)	(3,206)	(6,696)	(20,633)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,367	(53,966)	65,391	(83,843)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	432,948	342,852	432,948	342,852
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(453,999)	(553,903)	(466,604)	(569,789)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	0	13
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	5,044	7,437	17,649	23,310
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,044	7,437	17,649	23,323
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(448,955)	(546,466)	(448,955)	(546,466)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	32,423	107,484	105,970	98,118
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	45,162	31,620	101,071	99,520
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(24,190)	(55,604)	(153,646)	(114,138)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	20,972	(23,984)	(52,575)	(14,618)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	53,395	83,500	53,395	83,500
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(56,412)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(232)	412	(725)	1,204
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(57,137)		(57,137)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(56,905)	(78,431)	(56,412)	(79,223)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(232)	412	(725)	1,204
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(232)	412	(725)	1,204
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (57,137)	$ (78,019)	$ (57,137)	$ (78,019)