Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding, total	$ 1,390,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	17,724,000	17,182,000
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,400,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	56,500,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	65,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(1,100,000)
Debt Discount Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	200,000
Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for Cleco Katrina/Rita storm recovery bonds due within one year	15,300,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(7,600,000)
Cleco Power [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding, total	1,370,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	17,724,000	17,182,000
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,400,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	46,500,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	55,000,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(1,100,000)
Cleco Power [Member] | Debt Discount Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	200,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for Cleco Katrina/Rita storm recovery bonds due within one year	15,300,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	$ (7,600,000)