Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Risk Management (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) MMBTU
Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of open natural gas positions | MMBTU	0	0
Long-term program to provide gas price stability	5 years
Cleco Power [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of open natural gas positions | MMBTU	0	0
Energy risk management assets
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	$ 14,563	$ 10,776
Energy risk management assets | Cleco Power [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management asset	14,600	10,800
Energy risk management liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	488	827
Energy risk management liabilities | Cleco Power [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
FTRs in Energy risk management liability	$ 500	$ 800