Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Book Value And The Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 15,424,412	$ 13,578,511
Long-term Debt, Book Value	14,611,903	13,325,930
Notes payable to power authority		35,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	2,791,291	2,498,108
Long-term Debt, Book Value	2,796,059	2,629,839
Long term DOE obligations	182,000	181,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	5,848,345	5,018,786
Long-term Debt, Book Value	5,407,897	4,836,162
Capital Lease Obligations	57,000	109,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,409,719	1,087,326
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,344,305	1,045,085
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	502,194	351,040
Long-term Debt, Book Value	459,295	342,880
Entergy Texas [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,683,655	1,590,616
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,521,270	1,451,967
System Energy [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	543,933	552,762
Long-term Debt, Book Value	551,023	572,667
Capital Lease Obligations	$ 34,000	$ 34,000