Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement benefits	$ 381	$ 528
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	33	33
Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax (benefit) expense of postretirement benefits	(54)	328
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	$ 33	$ 33

Amount of tax expense (benefit), after 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).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e640-108580

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration