Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses									$ 816,278	$ 853,325	$ 746,949
Operating income	49,326	116,180	70,295	65,234	59,359	99,987	80,094	55,901	301,035	295,341	106,809
Other income									8,914	5,242	5,581
Other expense									(8,434)	(6,991)	(2,807)
Income before income taxes									298,745	397,889	115,886
Income tax expense (benefit)									102,897	142,498	9,579
Net income									195,848	255,391	106,307
Preferred dividends requirements									26	46	46
Preferred stock redemption costs									112	0	0
Net income applicable to common stock	30,643	65,842	70,221	29,004	20,613	49,600	35,174	149,958	195,710	255,345	106,261
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Operating expenses
Administrative and general									1,184	2,058	4,045
Other operating expense (income)									650	447	(1,363)
Total operating expenses									1,834	2,505	2,682
Operating income									(1,834)	(2,505)	(2,682)
Equity income from subsidiaries, net of tax									184,951	262,629	94,566
Interest, net									(2,874)	(9,988)	14,974
Other income									4,699	1,467	4,157
Other expense									(2,282)	(740)	(110)
Income before income taxes									182,660	250,863	110,905
Income tax expense (benefit)									(13,188)	(4,528)	4,598
Net income									195,848	255,391	106,307
Preferred dividends requirements									26	46	46
Preferred stock redemption costs									112	0	0
Net income applicable to common stock									$ 195,710	$ 255,345	$ 106,261