Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 17,245	$ 22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	23,512	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,388,649	1,331,230
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	17,245	22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	23,512	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,578,367	1,420,048
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	12,300	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	23,491	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,373,649	1,326,230
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	12,300	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	23,491	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,563,367	$ 1,415,048