Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating expenses
Total operating expenses									$ 712,046	$ 819,066	$ 855,707
Operating income (loss)	49,766	103,347	74,243	54,294	48,647	115,500	69,581	64,518	281,651	298,247	292,959
Other income									29,117	8,914	5,242
Other expense									(4,694)	(5,646)	(4,609)
Income before income taxes									228,975	298,745	397,889
Income tax expense (benefit)									65,327	102,897	142,498
Net income									163,648	195,848	255,391
Preferred dividends requirements									0	26	46
Preferred stock redemption costs									0	112	0
Net income applicable to common stock	23,112	63,818	46,686	30,031	30,643	65,842	70,221	29,004	163,648	195,710	255,345
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Operating expenses
Administrative and general									1,154	1,184	2,058
Other operating expense (income)									362	650	447
Total operating expenses									1,516	1,834	2,505
Operating income (loss)									(1,516)	(1,834)	(2,505)
Equity income from subsidiaries, net of tax									156,783	184,951	262,629
Interest, net									(3,350)	(2,874)	(9,988)
Other income									2,068	4,647	1,440
Other expense									(13)	(2,230)	(713)
Income before income taxes									153,972	182,660	250,863
Income tax expense (benefit)									(9,676)	(13,188)	(4,528)
Net income									163,648	195,848	255,391
Preferred dividends requirements									0	26	46
Preferred stock redemption costs									0	112	0
Net income applicable to common stock									$ 163,648	$ 195,710	$ 255,345