Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (24,979)	$ (30,497)	$ (25,876)	$ (32,370)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:			0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	438	586	1,282	1,122
Net current-period other comprehensive income	491	622	1,388	2,495
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(24,488)	(29,875)	(24,488)	(29,875)
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	36	106	49
Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(18,881)	(24,205)	(19,725)	(24,741)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	438	586	1,282	1,122
Net current-period other comprehensive income	438	586	1,282	1,122
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(18,443)	(23,619)	(18,443)	(23,619)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,098)	(6,292)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:			0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	36	106	1,373
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,045)	(6,256)	(6,045)	(6,256)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	36	106	49
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(14,599)	(18,833)	(15,177)	(20,421)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:			0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	222	269	747	520
Net current-period other comprehensive income	275	305	853	1,893
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(14,324)	(18,528)	(14,324)	(18,528)
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	36	106	49
Cleco Power [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(8,501)	(12,541)	(9,026)	(12,792)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	222	269	747	520
Net current-period other comprehensive income	222	269	747	520
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(8,279)	(12,272)	(8,279)	(12,272)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,098)	(6,292)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:			0	1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	36	106	1,373
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,045)	(6,256)	(6,045)	(6,256)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			0	(31)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 53	$ 36	$ 106	$ 49