Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	$ 605	$ (20)	$ (158)
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement benefit loss incurred during the year	(949)	131	(2,553)
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	(9,873)	1,823	1,208
Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	(129)	197	110
Other Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss		434
Cleco Power [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	303	(239)	(322)
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement benefit loss incurred during the year	(266)	725	(1,715)
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	(9,873)	1,823	1,208
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	(129)	197	110
Cleco Power [Member] | Other Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss		$ 434