Fair Value Accounting, Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	$ 39,700	$ 22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	24,001	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,601,816	1,420,048
Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	39,700	22,204
Restricted cash equivalents	24,001	14,019
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,368,354	1,331,230
Cleco Power [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	34,700	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	23,980	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	1,544,816	1,415,048
Cleco Power [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial instruments not marked-to-market [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	34,700	14,900
Restricted cash equivalents	23,980	13,998
Long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,311,354	$ 1,326,230