Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net (loss) gain	$ 266	$ 127	$ 431	$ 276
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	(2,382)	0	(591)	0
Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	22	(34)	22	(68)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	0	0	982	0
Cleco Power [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net tax expense (benefit) of amortization of postretirement benefit net (loss) gain	89	65	163	128
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of net derivative (loss) gain	(2,382)	0	(591)	0
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	22	(34)	22	(68)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net tax (benefit) expense of reclassification of net gain (loss)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 982	$ 0