Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 12,176	$ 22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	18,362	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,313,649	1,331,230
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	12,176	22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	18,362	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,473,263	1,420,048
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	5,900	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	18,341	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,298,649	1,326,230
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	5,900	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	18,341	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,458,263	$ 1,415,048