Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 46,800	$ 31,020
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,471	14,221
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,306,230	1,345,198
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	46,800	31,020
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,471	14,221
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,419,560	1,579,674
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	42,560	23,368
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,374	14,124
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,306,230	1,320,198
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	42,560	23,368
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,374	14,124
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,419,560	$ 1,554,674