Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,105	$ 1,136	$ 3,455
Additions charged to costs and expenses	1,232	828	1,992
Uncollectible account write-offs less recoveries	1,488	859	4,311
Balance at end of period	849	1,105	1,136
Unrestricted Storm Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,792	1,403	1,454
Additions	0	10,968	2,000
Deductions	556	10,579	2,051
Balance at end of period	1,236	1,792	1,403
Restricted Storm Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	16,285	24,880	25,993
Additions	1,593	1,485	887
Deductions	232	10,080	2,000
Balance at end of period	17,646	16,285	24,880
Cleco Power [Member] | Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,105	1,136	3,395
Additions charged to costs and expenses	1,232	828	1,972
Uncollectible account write-offs less recoveries	1,488	859	4,231
Balance at end of period	849	1,105	1,136
Cleco Power [Member] | Unrestricted Storm Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,792	1,403	1,454
Additions	0	10,968	2,000
Deductions	556	10,579	2,051
Balance at end of period	1,236	1,792	1,403
Cleco Power [Member] | Restricted Storm Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	16,285	24,880	25,993
Additions	1,593	1,485	887
Deductions	232	10,080	2,000
Balance at end of period	$ 17,646	$ 16,285	$ 24,880