Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees, Litigation (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					24 Months Ended	60 Months Ended	62 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2010 USD ($) plaintiff	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Litigation [Abstract]
Provision for rate refund	$ 2,696					$ 2,696		$ 2,696	$ 2,264
Cleco Power [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Provision for rate refund	$ 2,696					2,696		2,696	$ 2,264
LPSC 2009-2013 audit of fuel [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Fuel expenses included in audit							$ 1,730,000
LPSC 2014-2015 Fuel Audit [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Fuel expenses included in audit						582,600
LPSC Nov2010-Dec2015 EAC audit [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Environmental expenses included in audit								81,200
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Member] | MISO Transmission Rates [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Public Utilities, Approved Return on Equity, Percentage			12.38%
Public Utilities, Proposed Return on Equity, Percentage	10.32%		6.68%
Public Utilities, Requested Rate Increase (Decrease), Percentage		0.50%
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Member] | Transmission return on equity [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Provision for rate refund	$ 2,500					2,500		2,500
Discrimination Complaint [Member] | Dismissed litigation [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs | plaintiff				13
Discrimination Complaint [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Dismissed litigation [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value				$ 2,500	$ 35,000
Other Litigation Matters [Member]
Litigation [Abstract]
Accrual for various litigation matters	$ 5,500					$ 5,500		$ 5,500