Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member's Equity - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,627,270	$ (32,665)	$ 1,545,858	$ 1,563,146	$ (17,288)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,371	1,371	307		307
Distribution to parent			(60,000)	(60,000)
Net income	57,156		60,418	60,418
Balances at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 1,639,340	$ (31,294)	$ 1,546,583	$ 1,563,564	$ (16,981)