Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Risk Management (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015 MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2014 MMBTU
Cleco Power [Member] | Natural gas derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of open natural gas positions	0	0
Energy risk management assets
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	2,245	10,776
Energy risk management assets | Cleco Power [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	2,200	10,800
Energy risk management liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	432	827
Energy risk management liabilities | Cleco Power [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	400	800