Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Summary of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net	$ 214,421	$ 203,696
Cleco Power [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Total regulatory assets-other	458,707	406,108
Regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net	214,421	203,696
Cleco Power [Member] | Total federal regulatory asset - income taxes [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	34,127	41,344
Cleco Power [Member] | Total state regulatory asset - income taxes [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	51,720	36,394
Cleco Power [Member] | AFUDC [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	132,802	130,890
Cleco Power [Member] | Total investment tax credit [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Total regulatory assets-other	(4,228)	(4,932)
Cleco Power [Member] | Total regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets and liabilities - deferred taxes, net	214,421	203,696
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred mining costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	19,117	21,666
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	7 years 6 months
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred interest costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	6,667	7,033
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	28 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred asset removal costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	829	768
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	38 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred postretirement plan costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	132,556	117,651
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	0 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred tree trimming costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	8,371	11,086
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	3 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred training costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	7,486	7,642
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	48 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred storm surcredits, net [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	9,254	10,633
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	11 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred construction carrying costs - asset [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	10,883	18,830
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	3 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Lignite mining agreement contingency [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	3,781	3,781
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	0 years
Cleco Power [Member] | AFUDC equity gross-up [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	74,346	74,859
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	0 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred rate case costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	1,117	1,654
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	2 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred Acadia Unit 1 acquisition costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	2,971	3,076
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	28 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred IRP/RFP costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	508	977
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	1 year
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred AMI pilot costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	153	283
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	1 year 6 months
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred Financing costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	4,433	0
Remaining recovery period- regulatory assets	30 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Total regulatory assets - other [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Total regulatory assets-other	282,472	279,939
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred construction carrying costs - liability [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	(40,322)	(87,875)
Remaining recovery period- regulatory liabilities	2 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Deferred fuel and purchased power [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	$ 2,136	$ 10,348