Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 4,400	$ 22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	18,802	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,338,354	1,331,230
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	4,400	22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	18,802	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,534,758	1,420,048
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	1,000	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	18,781	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,301,354	1,326,230
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	1,000	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	18,781	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,497,758	$ 1,415,048