Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 68,246	$ 44,423	$ 28,656	$ 31,020
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	76,785
Cash surrender value of trust-owned life insurance policies	73,823	71,167
Prepayments	7,883	10,284
Other current assets	448	473
Total current assets	448,859	500,604
Equity investment in investees	16,822	14,540	14,540
Tax credit fund investment, net	13,741	7,251
Total assets	4,323,354	4,368,418	4,203,548
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	93,822	127,268
Other current liabilities	14,277	13,176
Total current liabilities	206,579	237,770
Postretirement benefit obligations	205,036	197,623
Other deferred credits	24,670	28,510
Total liabilities	$ 2,648,513	$ 2,741,148
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Shareholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Common stock	$ 61,059	$ 61,051
Premium on common stock	418,518	415,482
Retained earnings	1,245,014	1,208,712
Treasury stock	(23,165)	(25,310)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,585)	(32,665)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,674,841	1,627,270	1,586,197	1,499,213
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	4,323,354	4,368,418
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,236	5,069	$ 7,375	$ 7,418
Accounts receivable - affiliate	7,669	8,967
Taxes receivable, net	14,746	2,288
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	72,270
Cash surrender value of trust-owned life insurance policies	53,821	51,489
Prepayments	0	1,229
Interest receivable	0	555
Other current assets	0	12
Total current assets	78,472	141,879
Equity investment in investees	1,516,310	1,549,063
Tax credit fund investment, net	13,741	7,251
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	123,690	71,397
Total assets	1,732,213	1,769,590
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	908	4,386
Accounts payable - affiliate	5,389	59,014
Other current liabilities	10,975	12,123
Total current liabilities	17,272	75,523
Postretirement benefit obligations	5,848	8,337
Other deferred credits	587	2,071
Long-term debt	33,665	56,389
Total liabilities	$ 57,372	$ 142,320
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Shareholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Common stock	$ 61,059	$ 61,051
Premium on common stock	418,518	415,482
Retained earnings	1,245,014	1,208,712
Treasury stock	(23,165)	(25,310)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(26,585)	(32,665)
Total shareholders’ equity	1,674,841	1,627,270
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,732,213	$ 1,769,590