Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Risk Management (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014 MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2013 MMBTU
Natural gas derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of open natural gas positions	0	0
Energy risk management liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	$ 4,582	$ 382
Energy risk management asset [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	47,554	9,020
Cleco Power [Member] | Natural gas derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of open natural gas positions	0	0
Cleco Power [Member] | Energy risk management liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	4,600	400
Cleco Power [Member] | Energy risk management asset [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	$ 47,600	$ 9,000