Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Public Utility, Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]
Regulated utility plants	$ 4,311,221	$ 4,052,774
Other	15,096	273,748
Total property, plant, and equipment	4,326,317	4,326,522
Accumulated depreciation	(1,371,281)	(1,351,223)
Net property, plant, and equipment	2,955,036	2,975,299
Cleco Power [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant, and equipment	4,311,221	4,052,774
Accumulated depreciation	(1,361,984)	(1,260,843)
Net property, plant, and equipment	2,949,237	2,791,931
Transfer of Coughlin from affiliate [Member] | Evangeline [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	(82,600)
Net property, plant, and equipment	$ 176,000