Fair Value Accounting, Derivatives and Hedging (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	May 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2011	May 31, 2013
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Total FTRs Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, at Fair Value, Net	$ 9,949,000	$ 8,638,000
Energy risk management assets
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	10,776,000	9,020,000
Energy risk management liabilities
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	827,000	382,000
Electric operations
FTRs [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on FTRs Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	74,454,000	243,000	0
Power purchased for utility customers
FTRs [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on FTRs Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	(46,386,000)	(19,000)	0
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) on FTRs recognized in income	28,068,000	224,000	(8,277,000)
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	2,202,000	704,000
Gain (Loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income, effective portion, net	(344,000)	(251,000)	(60,000)
Net hedge ineffectiveness gain (loss)	0	(3,300,000)
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Energy risk management assets
FTRs [Abstract]
Derivative, Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Derivative			0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net			0
Energy Related Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Power purchased for utility customers
FTRs [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on fuel cost hedges recognized in income	0	0	(8,277,000)
Cleco Power [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Number of FTRs Held (MWh)	8,900,000	6,800,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest rate swap [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Fixed-Rate forecasted debt issuance					50,000,000
Remaining maturity of derivative					30 years
Interest rate on derivative					3.05%
Gain (Loss) on the settlement of Forward Starting Interest Rate Derivative						(3,300,000)
Gain (Loss) deferred as a regulatory asset on settlement of forward starting interest rate derivative						(2,900,000)
Gain (Loss) on forward starting interest rate swap remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)						(400,000)
Amortization Period of Loss on settlement of the Forward Starting Interest Rate Derivative				25 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | FTRs [Member] | Energy risk management assets
FTRs [Abstract]
Derivative, Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Derivative	(2,700,000)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]
Effective portion of deferred net gain (loss) to interest rate derivative to be reclassified from accumulated OCI to interest charges during the next 12 months	$ (300,000)
Cleco Power [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Number of open natural gas positions	0	0	0