Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating expenses
Merger transaction costs									$ 17,848	$ 0	$ 0
Total operating expenses									983,453	788,382	712,046
Operating income (loss)	54,729	107,242	66,721	57,338	58,314	116,794	74,754	58,467	286,032	308,332	281,651
Other income									4,790	13,857	29,117
Other expense									(2,509)	(2,861)	(4,694)
Income before income taxes									221,855	240,260	228,975
Income tax benefit									67,116	79,575	65,327
Net income applicable to common stock	21,347	70,835	36,633	25,924	25,112	66,407	42,032	27,133	154,739	160,685	163,648
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Operating expenses
Administrative and general									1,534	2,501	1,154
Merger transaction costs									17,848	0	0
Other operating expense									178	418	362
Total operating expenses									19,560	2,919	1,516
Operating income (loss)									(19,560)	(2,919)	(1,516)
Equity income from subsidiaries, net of tax									162,331	155,360	156,783
Interest, net									(303)	(2,380)	(3,350)
Other income									2,457	3,392	2,068
Other expense									(158)	(38)	(13)
Income before income taxes									144,767	153,415	153,972
Income tax benefit									(9,972)	(7,270)	(9,676)
Net income applicable to common stock									$ 154,739	$ 160,685	$ 163,648