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Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 13, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt Outstanding	$ 1,270,000
Long-term debt due within one year	19,967		$ 19,421
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,700
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(15,900)
Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(7,000)
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(700)
Debt Discount and Debt Issuance Cost Amortization [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	300
Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for long term debt due within one year	17,300
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(8,500)
Cleco Power [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt Outstanding	1,240,000
Long-term debt due within one year	19,967		$ 19,421
Capital lease payments due within one year	2,700
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(8,900)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	(700)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Debt Discount and Debt Issuance Cost Amortization [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	300
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for long term debt due within one year	17,300
Increase (decrease) in debt instrument, net	$ (8,500)
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Parent Company [Member] \| Cleco Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt		$ 1,350,000