Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 28,656	$ 31,020	$ 93,576	$ 191,128
Other accounts receivable	46,981	37,741
Taxes receivable, net	0	34,612
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	94,179	79,353
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	64,720	57,346
Total current assets	473,582	447,338
Equity investment in investees	14,540	14,540	14,540
Other deferred charges	23,248	21,355
Total assets	4,215,262	4,147,349	4,050,202
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	110,544	102,695
Taxes payable, net	18,680	0
Interest accrued	12,188	12,957
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	869,150	762,992
Other current liabilities	12,948	16,926
Total current liabilities	243,473	294,630
Tax credit fund investment, net	41,840	78,840
Other deferred credits	31,929	34,799
Total liabilities	2,629,065	2,648,136
Common shareholders' equity
Common stock	61,047	60,962
Premium on common stock	422,624	416,619
Retained earnings	1,149,003	1,075,074
Treasury stock	(20,601)	(21,072)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,876)	(32,370)	(28,139)	(11,638)
Total shareholders' equity	1,586,197	1,499,213	1,419,857	1,317,178
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,215,262	4,147,349
CLECO CORPORATION (Parent Company Only) [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	7,375	7,418	22,642	5,320
Accounts receivable - affiliate	9,549	9,455
Other accounts receivable	0	1
Taxes receivable, net	0	30,920
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	7,330	0
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	45,394	36,504
Total current assets	69,648	84,298
Equity investment in investees	1,553,543	1,497,788
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	102,255	91,359
Other deferred charges	719	1,721
Total assets	1,726,165	1,675,166
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	3,218	3,392
Accounts payable - affiliate	60,590	55,432
Taxes payable, net	17,161	0
Interest accrued	38	377
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	2,926
Other current liabilities	11,081	9,986
Total current liabilities	92,088	72,113
Tax credit fund investment, net	41,840	78,840
Other deferred credits	1,040	0
Long-term debt	5,000	25,000
Total liabilities	139,968	175,953
Common shareholders' equity
Common stock	61,047	60,962
Premium on common stock	422,624	416,619
Retained earnings	1,149,003	1,075,074
Treasury stock	(20,601)	(21,072)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,876)	(32,370)
Total shareholders' equity	1,586,197	1,499,213
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,726,165	$ 1,675,166