Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets [Abstract]
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,674	$ 922
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	61,058,918	61,051,286
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	60,482,468	60,421,467
Treasury stock (in shares)	576,450	629,819
Cleco Power [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,674	$ 922