Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 68,246	$ 44,423
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	9,263	8,986
Customer accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts)	43,255	41,500
Other accounts receivable	27,677	28,098
Unbilled revenue	33,995	38,475
Fuel inventory, at average cost	72,838	64,747
Materials and supplies, at average cost	76,731	71,124
Energy risk management assets	7,673	10,776
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	76,785
Accumulated deferred fuel	12,910	21,554
Cash surrender value of company-/trust-owned life insurance policies	73,823	71,167
Prepayments	7,883	10,284
Regulatory assets	14,117	12,212
Other current assets	448	473
Total current assets	448,859	500,604
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant, and equipment	4,661,212	4,508,960
Accumulated depreciation	(1,536,158)	(1,442,960)
Net property, plant, and equipment	3,125,054	3,066,000
Construction work in progress	66,509	99,458
Total property, plant, and equipment, net	3,191,563	3,165,458
Equity investment in investees	16,822	14,540
Prepayments	4,542	4,891
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	16,195	15,130
Regulatory assets - deferred taxes, net	236,941	234,370
Regulatory assets	284,689	311,867
Net investment in direct financing lease	13,464	13,498
Intangible asset	74,963	90,642
Tax credit fund investment, net	13,741	7,251
Other deferred charges	21,575	10,167
Total assets	4,323,354	4,368,418
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Long-term debt due within one year	19,421	18,272
Accounts payable	93,822	127,268
Customer deposits	55,233	53,411
Provision for rate refund	2,696	2,264
Taxes payable	2,573	2,197
Interest accrued	7,814	8,669
Energy risk management liabilities	275	827
Regulatory liabilities - other	312	312
Deferred compensation	10,156	11,374
Other current liabilities	14,277	13,176
Total current liabilities	206,579	237,770
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	925,103	918,858
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits	3,245	4,161
Postretirement benefit obligations	205,036	197,623
Regulatory liabilities - other	0	312
Restricted storm reserve	16,177	14,916
Other deferred credits	24,670	28,510
Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits	1,174,231	1,164,380
Member's equity	1,674,841	1,627,270
Long-term debt, net	1,267,703	1,338,998
Total liabilities	$ 2,648,513	$ 2,741,148
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
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	4,323,354	4,368,418
Cleco Power [Member]
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	65,705	39,162
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	9,263	8,986
Customer accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts)	43,255	41,500
Accounts receivable - affiliate	1,908	23,621
Other accounts receivable	27,553	27,949
Unbilled revenue	33,995	38,475
Fuel inventory, at average cost	72,838	64,747
Materials and supplies, at average cost	76,731	71,124
Energy risk management assets	7,673	10,776
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	0	6,725
Accumulated deferred fuel	12,910	21,554
Cash surrender value of company-/trust-owned life insurance policies	20,003	19,678
Prepayments	6,309	7,283
Regulatory assets	14,117	12,212
Other current assets	337	368
Total current assets	392,597	394,160
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant, and equipment	4,645,698	4,495,490
Accumulated depreciation	(1,525,298)	(1,433,206)
Net property, plant, and equipment	3,120,400	3,062,284
Construction work in progress	66,069	96,702
Total property, plant, and equipment, net	3,186,469	3,158,986
Equity investment in investees	16,822	14,532
Prepayments	4,542	4,891
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	16,174	15,109
Regulatory assets - deferred taxes, net	236,941	234,370
Regulatory assets	284,689	311,867
Intangible asset	74,963	90,642
Other deferred charges	20,140	8,385
Total assets	4,233,337	4,232,942
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Long-term debt due within one year	19,421	18,272
Accounts payable	88,235	116,925
Accounts payable - affiliate	6,598	7,760
Customer deposits	55,233	53,411
Provision for rate refund	2,696	2,264
Taxes payable	17,045	3,115
Interest accrued	7,813	9,224
Energy risk management liabilities	275	827
Regulatory liabilities - other	312	312
Other current liabilities	10,078	9,380
Total current liabilities	207,706	221,490
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	1,043,531	1,001,332
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits	3,245	4,161
Postretirement benefit obligations	152,152	135,825
Regulatory liabilities - other	0	312
Restricted storm reserve	16,177	14,916
Other deferred credits	24,083	26,439
Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits	1,239,188	1,182,985
Member's equity	1,552,404	1,545,858
Long-term debt, net	1,234,039	1,282,609
Total capitalization	$ 2,786,443	$ 2,828,467
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Total shareholders’ equity	$ 1,552,404	$ 1,545,858
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 4,233,337	$ 4,232,942