Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt Outstanding	$ 1,340,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	18,236,000	17,182,000
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,400,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	5,700,000
Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	22,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(1,700,000)
Debt Discount Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	300,000
Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds principal payment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for Cleco Katrina/Rita storm recovery bonds due within one year	15,800,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(14,900,000)
Cleco Power [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt Outstanding	1,300,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	18,236,000	17,182,000
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,400,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(26,300,000)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(10,000,000)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(1,700,000)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Debt Discount Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	300,000
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds principal payment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for Cleco Katrina/Rita storm recovery bonds due within one year	15,800,000
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	$ (14,900,000)

Amount of capital lease obligation due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455314&loc=d3e45023-112735

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Net increase or decrease in the carrying amount of the debt instrument for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph f

-Article 4

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Amount of long-term debt and capital leases due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations including current maturities.

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Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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