Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (32,003)	$ (24,979)	$ (32,665)	$ (25,876)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	656	438	1,265	1,282
Net current-period other comprehensive income	709	491	1,371	1,388
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(31,294)	(24,488)	(31,294)	(24,488)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	53	106	106
Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(26,117)	(18,881)	(26,726)	(19,725)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	656	438	1,265	1,282
Net current-period other comprehensive income	656	438	1,265	1,282
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(25,461)	(18,443)	(25,461)	(18,443)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(5,886)	(6,098)	(5,939)	(6,151)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	53	106	106
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(5,833)	(6,045)	(5,833)	(6,045)
Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	53	106	106
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(17,322)	(14,599)	(17,288)	(15,177)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	288	222	201	747
Net current-period other comprehensive income	341	275	307	853
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(16,981)	(14,324)	(16,981)	(14,324)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53	53	106	106
Cleco Power [Member] | Postretirement Benefit Net Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(11,436)	(8,501)	(11,349)	(9,026)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	288	222	201	747
Net current-period other comprehensive income	288	222	201	747
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(11,148)	(8,279)	(11,148)	(8,279)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(5,886)	(6,098)	(5,939)	(6,151)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53	53	106	106
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(5,833)	(6,045)	(5,833)	(6,045)
Cleco Power [Member] | Net Loss on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 53	$ 53	$ 106	$ 106