Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit And Short-Term Borrowings (Issuance Of Commercial Paper To Finance Acquisition And Ownership Of Nuclear Fuel) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 795.0
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.31%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	36.7
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	85
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	90
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.36%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	54.7
System Energy VIE [Member]
Issuance of commercial paper to finance the acquisition and ownership of nuclear fuel
Expiration Date	July 2013
Amount of Facility	100
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Borrowings	2.37%
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	$ 40.0