Coughlin Transfer Coughlin Transfer (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 MW	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member]	Mar. 15, 2014 Transfer of Coughlin from affiliate [Member] Evangeline [Member] Cleco Power [Member]
Related Party [Line Items]
Long-term Request for Proposal of Electric Power to meet long-term capacity (MW)	800
Net book value		$ 3,025,892	$ 2,975,299	$ 3,020,517	$ 2,791,931	$ 176,000