Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,128	$ 1,046
Other accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	8	2,409
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, authorized (in shares)	1,491,900	1,491,900
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, issued (in shares)	0	10,288
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	60,702,342	60,539,624
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	60,291,939	60,526,126
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	410,403	13,498
Cleco Power [Member]
Current assets
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	1,128	1,046
Other accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 8	$ 2,349