Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member's Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,499,213	$ (32,370)	$ 1,319,919	$ 1,340,340	$ (20,421)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,045	3,045	2,153		2,153
Distribution to parent			(75,000)	(75,000)
Net income	135,572		124,142	124,142
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	1,577,914	(29,325)	1,371,214	1,389,482	(18,268)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	550		260
Net income	66,407		61,885
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	1,577,914		1,371,214
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	1,586,197	(25,876)	1,370,573	1,385,750	(15,177)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,759	1,759	998		998
Contributions			138,080	138,080
Distribution to parent			(85,000)	(85,000)
Net income	133,392		124,509	124,509
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	1,638,871	(24,117)	1,549,160	1,563,339	(14,179)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	371		145
Net income	70,835		65,544
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 1,638,871		$ 1,549,160