Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Summary of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets - deferred taxes, net	$ 211,617	$ 210,445
Cleco Power [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets - deferred taxes, net	211,617	210,445
Total regulatory assets, net	508,659	510,688
Cleco Power [Member] | Total regulatory assets - other [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	296,357	300,665
Cleco Power [Member] | Mining costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	15,931	16,569
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	6,213	6,304
Cleco Power [Member] | Asset removal costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	884	867
Cleco Power [Member] | Postretirement plan costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	153,103	156,458
Cleco Power [Member] | Tree trimming costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	4,978	5,656
Cleco Power [Member] | Training costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	7,291	7,330
Cleco Power [Member] | Storm surcredits, net [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	6,931	6,211
Cleco Power [Member] | Construction carrying costs - asset [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	3,131	4,697
Cleco Power [Member] | Lignite mining agreement contingency [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	3,781	3,781
Cleco Power [Member] | Power purchase agreement capacity costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	7,219	6,217
Cleco Power [Member] | AMI Deferred Revenue Requirement [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	2,141	1,483
Cleco Power [Member] | AFUDC equity gross-up [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	74,145	74,158
Cleco Power [Member] | Rate case costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	447	581
Cleco Power [Member] | Acadia Unit 1 acquisition costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	2,839	2,865
Cleco Power [Member] | IRP/RFP costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	0	39
Cleco Power [Member] | AMI pilot costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	0	22
Cleco Power [Member] | Financing costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	7,186	7,282
Cleco Power [Member] | Biomass costs [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	137	145
Cleco Power [Member] | Construction carrying costs - liability [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	(3,296)	(8,255)
Cleco Power [Member] | Fuel and purchased power [Member]
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, Net [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	$ 3,981	$ 7,833