Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 14,541		$ 14,540
Oxbow [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%
Ownership percentage by other parties (in hundredths)	50.00%
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	1,933		1,814
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,914		23,029
Other assets	4,262		4,248
Total assets	29,109		29,091
Current liabilities	44		26
Partner's capital	29,065		29,065
Total liabilities and partners' capital	29,109		29,091
Operating revenue	429	381
Operating expenses	429	381
Income (loss) before taxes	0	0
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Purchase price	12,873		12,873
Cash contributions	1,659		1,659
Total equity investment in investee	14,532		14,532
Comparison of carrying amount of assets and liabilities to maximum loss exposure [Abstract]
Net assets/liabilities	29,065		29,065
Entity's 50% equity	14,532		14,532
Cleco's maximum exposure to loss	14,532		14,532
Maximum [Member] | Subsidiares Less Than One Hundred Percent Owned By Cleco Innovations LLC Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 100