Pension Plan and Employee Benefits, Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension contributions designated for prior plan year										$ 34,000,000
Components of periodic benefit costs
Service cost	2,013,000	2,472,000	6,038,000	7,417,000	347,000	614,000	1,157,000	1,242,000
Interest cost	4,963,000	4,485,000	14,888,000	13,455,000	432,000	214,000	1,357,000	1,176,000
Expected return on plan assets	(6,127,000)	(5,861,000)	(18,380,000)	(17,584,000)	0	0	0	0
Transition obligation	0	0	0	0	2,000	6,000	12,000	15,000
Prior period service cost (credit)	(18,000)	(18,000)	(53,000)	(53,000)	29,000	0	89,000	0
Net loss	1,686,000	3,304,000	5,057,000	9,913,000	147,000	213,000	502,000	849,000
Net periodic benefit cost	2,517,000	4,382,000	7,550,000	13,148,000	957,000	1,047,000	3,117,000	3,282,000			800,000	900,000	2,700,000	2,800,000		400,000	600,000	1,300,000	1,900,000
Postemployment Benefits Liability, Current					$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000