Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member's Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2009			$ 1,009,849	$ 1,015,520	$ (5,671)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(347)	(347)	937		937
Distribution to parent	(183,700)		(150,000)	(150,000)
Non-cash property donation, net of tax			225,732	225,732
Net income	255,391		147,405	147,405
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2010			1,233,923	1,238,657	(4,734)
Distribution to parent			(50,000)
Net income			30,030
Member's Equity, Balance at Mar. 31, 2011
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2010			1,233,923	1,238,657	(4,734)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(16,501)	(16,501)	(15,896)		(15,896)
Distribution to parent	(291,219)		(130,000)	(130,000)
Net income	195,848		142,835	142,835
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2011			1,230,862	1,251,492	(20,630)
Member's Equity, Balance at Sep. 30, 2011
Distribution to parent			(30,000)
Net income			23,278
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2011			1,230,862
Distribution to parent			(30,000)
Net income			26,805
Member's Equity, Balance at Mar. 31, 2012
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2011			1,230,862	1,251,492	(20,630)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,231)	(4,231)	209		209
Distribution to parent	(63,700)		(58,000)	(58,000)
Net income	163,648		146,848	146,848
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2012			1,319,919	1,340,340	(20,421)
Member's Equity, Balance at Sep. 30, 2012
Distribution to parent			0
Net income			24,975
Member's Equity, Balance at Dec. 31, 2012			$ 1,319,919