Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Reclassifications (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Depreciation	$ 142,860	$ 132,407	$ 122,578
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	(26,357)	(11,543)	(19,146)
Other deferred accounts	(5,547)	(15,695)	4,305
Net cash provided by operating activities	341,690	263,105	310,061
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(188,614)	(245,033)	(202,405)
Net cash used in investing activities	(236,216)	(229,164)	(103,716)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(2,364)	(62,556)	(97,552)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	31,020	93,576	191,128
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,656	31,020	93,576
Cash Flows Related To Contributions Received In Aid Of Construction Adjustment [Member]
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable			(19,146)
Other deferred accounts			4,305
Net cash provided by operating activities			310,061
Additions to property, plant, and equipment			(202,405)
Net cash used in investing activities			(103,716)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(97,552)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			191,128
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			93,576
Cash Flows Related To Contributions Received In Aid Of Construction Adjustment [Member] | As Reported [Member]
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable			(15,798)
Other deferred accounts			(1,084)
Net cash provided by operating activities			308,020
Additions to property, plant, and equipment			(200,364)
Net cash used in investing activities			(101,675)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(97,552)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			191,128
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			93,576
Cleco Power [Member]
Depreciation	135,717	125,486	115,634
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	(26,491)	(12,290)	(18,206)
Other deferred accounts	(8,212)	(19,989)	(2,399)
Net cash provided by operating activities	279,404	244,100	251,758
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(181,154)	(238,943)	(184,615)
Net cash used in investing activities	(175,818)	(203,557)	(172,234)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(2,313)	(44,090)	(117,454)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,368	67,458	184,912
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,055	23,368	67,458
Cleco Power [Member] | Cash Flows Related To Contributions Received In Aid Of Construction Adjustment [Member]
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable			(18,206)
Other deferred accounts			(2,399)
Net cash provided by operating activities			251,758
Additions to property, plant, and equipment			(184,615)
Net cash used in investing activities			(172,234)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(117,454)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			184,912
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			67,458
Cleco Power [Member] | Cash Flows Related To Contributions Received In Aid Of Construction Adjustment [Member] | As Reported [Member]
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Accounts receivable			(14,858)
Other deferred accounts			(7,788)
Net cash provided by operating activities			249,717
Additions to property, plant, and equipment			(182,574)
Net cash used in investing activities			(170,193)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(117,454)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			184,912
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			67,458
ReclassificationOfPlantAcquisitionAdjustmentAmortization [Member]
Depreciation			$ 2,800