Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	$ 165	$ 148
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	1,792	0
Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	0	(34)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	982	0
Cleco Power [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain)	75	63
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	1,792	0
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	0	(34)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net (gain) loss	$ 982	$ 0