Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member's Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,499,213	$ (32,370)	$ 1,319,919	$ 1,340,340	$ (20,421)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,873	1,873	1,588		1,588
Net Income	27,133		27,793	27,793
Stockholders' equity, Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	1,509,130	(30,497)	1,349,300	1,368,133	(18,833)
Stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,586,197	(25,876)	1,370,573	1,385,750	(15,177)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	897	897	578		578
Contributions			138,080	138,080
Distributions to parent			(35,000)	(35,000)
Net Income	25,924		26,307	26,307
Stockholders' equity, Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 1,576,782	$ (24,979)	$ 1,500,538	$ 1,515,137	$ (14,599)