Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 133,669	$ 154,739	$ 160,685
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Postretirement benefits gain (loss), net of tax	5,869	(7,001)	5,016
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	211	212	1,478
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,080	(6,789)	6,494
Comprehensive income, net of tax	139,749	147,950	167,179
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	133,669	154,739	160,685
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Postretirement benefits gain (loss), net of tax	5,869	(7,001)	5,016
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	211	212	1,478
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,080	(6,789)	6,494
Comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 139,749	$ 147,950	$ 167,179