Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 22,204	$ 25,911
Restricted cash equivalents	14,019	14,221
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,331,230	1,345,198
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	22,204	25,911
Restricted cash equivalents	14,019	14,221
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,420,048	1,579,674
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	14,900	18,600
Restricted cash equivalents	13,998	14,124
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,326,230	1,320,198
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	14,900	18,600
Restricted cash equivalents	13,998	14,124
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,415,048	$ 1,554,674