Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net income	$ 163,648	$ 195,848	$ 255,391
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain) (net of tax)	2,117	1,213	(31)
Postretirement benefit loss incurred during the year (net of tax)	(8,682)	(1,721)	(4,241)
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives (loss) gain (net of tax)	433	(15,788)	2,916
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,231)	(16,501)	(347)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	159,417	179,347	255,044
Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	37	(205)	315
Other Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	0	0	694
Cleco Power [Member]
Net income	146,848	142,835	147,405
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Amortization of postretirement benefit net loss (gain) (net of tax)	1,160	692	(381)
Postretirement benefit loss incurred during the year (net of tax)	(3,285)	(595)	(2,607)
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives (loss) gain (net of tax)	433	(15,788)	2,916
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	209	(15,896)	937
Comprehensive income, net of tax	147,057	126,939	148,342
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	37	(205)	315
Cleco Power [Member] | Other Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of net (gain) loss (net of tax)	0	0	694
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset (net of tax)	1,864	0	0
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of ineffectiveness to regulatory asset (net of tax)	$ 1,864	$ 0	$ 0