Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member's Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	AOCI [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] AOCI [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]
Balances. Beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,499,213	$ (32,370)	$ 1,319,919	$ (20,421)	$ 1,340,340
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,494	6,494	5,244	5,244
Distributions to parent			(105,000)		(105,000)
Net income	160,685		150,410		150,410
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2013	1,586,197	(25,876)	1,370,573	(15,177)	1,385,750
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(6,789)	(6,789)	(2,111)	(2,111)
Non-cash contributions from parent			138,080		138,080
Distributions to parent			(115,000)		(115,000)
Net income	154,739		154,316		154,316
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2014	1,627,270	(32,665)	1,545,858	(17,288)	1,563,146
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,080	6,080	196	196
Distributions to parent			(135,000)		(135,000)
Net income	133,669		141,350		141,350
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,674,841	$ (26,585)	$ 1,552,404	$ (17,092)	$ 1,569,496