Capitalized interest and other in the investee on the equity method of accounting, from inception to date.

No definition available.

Name:	cnl_CapitalizedInterestAndOther
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability for the differences between the values assigned and the tax bases of assets in an asset acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_DeferredTaxesRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Impairment of investment in the investee on the equity method of accounting from inception to date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_ImpairmentOfInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of indemnification liability recognized at the acquisition date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_IndemnificationAgainstThirdParties
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents a net adjustment to the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_NetAdjustmentToEquityIncome
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Ownership interest exchanged

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_OwnershipInterestExchanged
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The third parties' share of entity's liabilities and other obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_ThirdPartiesShareOfLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The value of all consideration given or received by the Entity in the significant acquisition or disposal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsAcquisitionCostsOrSaleProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the value of the consideration received by the Entity on the sale or disposal and the consideration received by the Entity, including any tax related impact.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsGainLossOnSaleOrDisposalNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Acadia Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2010 Cleco Power [Member] Acadia Unit 1 and Facilities [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 APH [Member] Acadia Unit 1 and Facilities [Member]	Apr. 29, 2011 APH [Member] Acadia Unit 2 and Facilities [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Acadia Power Partners [Member] Acadia Unit 1 and Facilities [Member]	Apr. 29, 2011 Acadia Power Partners [Member] Acadia Unit 2 and Facilities [Member]	Apr. 29, 2011 Acadia Power Partners [Member] APH [Member]	Apr. 29, 2011 Cajun [Member] APH [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from plant disposition				$ (304.0)	$ (298.8)
Deferred taxes recognized	78.4
Recognized gain on transaction			62.0	82.0
Indemnification against third parties		6.8	10.9
Third parties' share of entity's liabilities (in hundredths)		50.00%	50.00%
Net adjustment to equity income			26.2
Impairment of investment			45.9
Capitalized interest and other			$ 19.7
Ownership interest received (in hundredths)						100.00%
Ownership interest exchanged (in hundredths)							50.00%