Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	$ 9,343,000
2013	9,981,000
2014	9,909,000
2015	9,575,000
2016	11,427,000
Thereafter	3,757,000
Net minimum lease payments	53,992,000
Vehicles, Office and Operating Facilities, and Office Equipment [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	100,000	100,000	100,000
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	10,000
2013	4,000
2014	0
2015	0
2016	0
Thereafter	0
Net minimum lease payments	14,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	9,333,000
2013	9,977,000
2014	9,909,000
2015	9,575,000
2016	11,427,000
Thereafter	3,757,000
Net minimum lease payments	53,978,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction and Maintenance Vehicles [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000
Number of groups of railcar leases	2
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars Group 1 [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Number of railcars	120
Lease terms	lease expires on March 31, 2021
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars Group 2 [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Number of railcars	121
Lease terms	lease expires on March 31, 2017
Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction, Maintenance, and Service Vehicles [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	$ 400,000	$ 400,000	$ 200,000
Minimum [Member] | Vehicles, Office and Operating Facilities, and Office Equipment [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	1
Minimum [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction and Maintenance Vehicles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	5
Minimum [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction, Maintenance, and Service Vehicles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	5
Maximum [Member] | Vehicles, Office and Operating Facilities, and Office Equipment [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	5
Maximum [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction and Maintenance Vehicles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	10
Maximum [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction, Maintenance, and Service Vehicles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	7