Debt, Credit Facilities (Details) (Line of Credit [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 15.0
Credit facility, current borrowing capacity	250.0
Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage (in hundredths)	0.175%
Cleco Power [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit facility, amount outstanding	75.0
Credit facility, current borrowing capacity	300.0
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	$ 2.0	$ 1.0
Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage (in hundredths)	0.10%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit facility, interest rate (in hundredths)	1.205%
Credit facility, Basis Spread on Variable Rate (in hundredths)	1.075%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit facility, interest rate (in hundredths)	1.03%
Credit facility, Basis Spread on Variable Rate (in hundredths)	0.90%
Base Rate [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit facility, Basis Spread on Variable Rate (in hundredths)	0.075%