Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,020	$ 93,576	$ 191,128	$ 145,193
Other accounts receivable	37,741	42,051
Taxes receivable, net	34,612	44,584
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	79,353	29,249
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	57,346	51,073
Total current assets	447,338	456,785
Equity investment in investees	14,540	14,540	86,732
Total assets	4,147,349	4,050,202	4,161,430
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	102,695	127,467
Short-term debt	0
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	762,992	649,926
Other current liabilities	16,926	17,154
Total current liabilities	294,630	321,002
Tax credit fund investment, net	78,840	61,507
Deferred credits	1,096,248	972,287
Total liabilities	2,648,136	2,630,345
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Common shareholders' equity
Common stock	60,962	60,702
Premium on common stock	416,619	409,904
Retained earnings	1,075,074	990,605
Treasury stock	(21,072)	(13,215)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(32,370)	(28,139)	(11,638)	(11,291)
Total shareholders' equity	1,499,213	1,419,857
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,147,349	4,050,202
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	7,418	22,642	5,320	7,080
Accounts receivable - affiliate	9,455	13,386
Other accounts receivable	1	1
Taxes receivable, net	30,920	8,431
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	7,153
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	36,504	30,639
Total current assets	84,298	82,252
Equity investment in investees	1,497,788	1,392,693
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	91,359	35,675
Deferred charges	1,721	3,414
Total assets	1,675,166	1,514,034
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	3,392	86
Short-term debt	0
Accounts payable - affiliate	55,432	13,739
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	2,926	0
Other current liabilities	10,363	8,817
Total current liabilities	72,113	22,642
Tax credit fund investment, net	78,840	61,507
Deferred credits	0	28
Long-term debt	25,000	10,000
Total liabilities	175,953	94,177
Common shareholders' equity
Common stock	60,962	60,702
Premium on common stock	416,619	409,904
Retained earnings	1,075,074	990,605
Treasury stock	(21,072)	(13,215)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(32,370)	(28,139)
Total shareholders' equity	1,499,213	1,419,857
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,675,166	$ 1,514,034