Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (25,876)	$ (32,370)	$ (28,139)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,021	2,159	2,117
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,789)	6,494	(4,231)
Ending balance	(32,665)	(25,876)	(32,370)
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(15,177)	(20,421)	(20,630)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,021	970	1,160
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,111)	5,244	209
Ending balance	(17,288)	(15,177)	(20,421)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(19,725)	(24,741)	(18,176)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(9,022)	2,857	(8,682)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	2,021	2,159	2,117
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,001)	5,016	(6,565)
Ending balance	(26,726)	(19,725)	(24,741)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(9,026)	(12,792)	(10,667)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(3,344)	2,796	(3,285)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,021	970	1,160
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,323)	3,766	(2,125)
Ending balance	(11,349)	(9,026)	(12,792)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(6,151)	(7,629)	(9,963)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,355	433
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	212	1,478	2,334
Ending balance	(5,939)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(6,151)	(7,629)	(9,963)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,355	433
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	212	1,478	2,334
Ending balance	(5,939)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Interest Expense [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	212	154	37
Interest Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	212	154	37
Interest Expense [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	212	154	37
Interest Expense [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	212	154	37
Other Assets [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(31)	1,864
Other Assets [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(31)	1,864
Other Assets [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(31)	1,864
Other Assets [Member] | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		$ (31)	$ 1,864