Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Abstract]
Capitalized Computer Software Costs, Gross	$ 12,500	$ 11,000
Capitalized Computer Software Costs, Amortization	2,200	1,400	$ 1,400
Public Utilities, Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Regulated utility plants	4,645,698	4,495,490
Other	15,514	13,470
Total 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
Minimum [Member]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Utility plant (in years)	5 years
Other (in years)	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Useful lives of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Utility plant (in years)	95 years
Other (in years)	50 years
Cleco Power [Member]
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Abstract]
Annual depreciation provisions expressed as a percentage of average depreciable property (in hundredths)	2.68%	2.66%	2.70%
Public Utilities, Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Total 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
Acadia Unit 1 | Cleco Power [Member]
Plant acquisition adjustments and accumulated amortization
Plant acquisition adjustment	95,578	95,578
Less: accumulated amortization	18,567	15,384
Net plant acquisition adjustment	77,011	80,194
Teche [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Plant acquisition adjustments and accumulated amortization
Plant acquisition adjustment	5,271	5,359
Less: accumulated amortization	4,655	4,488
Net plant acquisition adjustment	$ 616	$ 871