Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Transfer of Coughlin from affiliate [Member] Evangeline [Member] Cleco Power [Member]	Mar. 15, 2014 Transfer of Coughlin from affiliate [Member] Evangeline [Member] Cleco Power [Member]
Public Utility, Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]
Regulated utility plants	$ 4,429,881	$ 4,052,774
Other	15,012	273,748
Total property, plant, and equipment	4,444,893	4,326,522	4,429,881	4,052,774
Accumulated depreciation	(1,419,001)	(1,351,223)	(1,409,364)	(1,260,843)	(82,600)
Net property, plant, and equipment	$ 3,025,892	$ 2,975,299	$ 3,020,517	$ 2,791,931		$ 176,000