Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees, Off-Balance Sheet Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2006	Apr. 08, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 15, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	$ 6,225
Attala [Member] | Cleco Corporation [Member] | Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	500	500
Louisiana Department of Labor [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	3,725
Percentage of average losses on which letter of credit is based (in hundredths)	110.00%
MISO [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	2,000		2,000	1,000
Evangeline [Member] | Transfer of assets from affiliate [Member] | Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT					40,000
Evangeline [Member] | Transfer of assets from affiliate [Member] | Indemnification Agreement INCLUDING fundamental organizational structure [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT					400,000
Evangeline [Member] | Transfer of assets from affiliate [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT					40,000
Evangeline [Member] | Transfer of assets from affiliate [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Indemnification Agreement INCLUDING fundamental organizational structure [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT					$ 400,000