Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	$ 1,627,270	$ 1,586,197	$ 1,499,213
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	6,080	(6,789)	6,494
Balances, Ending	1,674,841	1,627,270	1,586,197
Cleco Power [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	1,545,858	1,370,573	1,319,919
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	196	(2,111)	5,244
Balances, Ending	1,552,404	1,545,858	1,370,573
Postretirement Benefit Net (Loss) Gain [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(26,726)	(19,725)	(24,741)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,790	(9,022)	2,857
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,079	2,021	2,159
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	5,869	(7,001)	5,016
Balances, Ending	(20,857)	(26,726)	(19,725)
Postretirement Benefit Net (Loss) Gain [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(11,349)	(9,026)	(12,792)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,232)	(3,344)	2,796
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,217	1,021	970
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(15)	(2,323)	3,766
Balances, Ending	(11,364)	(11,349)	(9,026)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(5,939)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	211	212	1,478
Balances, Ending	(5,728)	(5,939)	(6,151)
Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(5,939)	(6,151)	(7,629)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	211	212	1,478
Balances, Ending	(5,728)	(5,939)	(6,151)
AOCI [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(32,665)	(25,876)	(32,370)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,079	2,021	2,159
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	6,080	(6,789)	6,494
Balances, Ending	(26,585)	(32,665)	(25,876)
AOCI [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances. Beginning	(17,288)	(15,177)	(20,421)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,217	1,021	970
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	196	(2,111)	5,244
Balances, Ending	(17,092)	(17,288)	(15,177)
Interest charges | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	211	212	154
Interest charges | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	211	212	154
Interest charges | AOCI [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	211	212	154
Interest charges | AOCI [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 211	$ 212	154
Regulatory asset
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(31)
Regulatory asset | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(31)
Regulatory asset | Net Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(31)
Regulatory asset | AOCI [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax, Period Change [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			$ (31)