Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 154,739us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 160,685us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 163,648us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax	(7,001)	5,016	(6,565)
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	212	1,478	2,334
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,789)	6,494	(4,231)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	147,950	167,179	159,417
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	154,739	160,685	163,648
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax	(7,001)	5,016	(6,565)
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	212	1,478	2,334
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,789)	6,494	(4,231)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 147,950	$ 167,179	$ 159,417

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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