Consolidated Statement of Changes in Member's Equity - Cleco Power [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Member's Equity [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014		$ (17,288)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 307	307
Net loss	60,418
Balances at Jun. 30, 2015		(16,981)
Balances at Mar. 31, 2015		(17,322)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	341	341
Net loss	31,813
Balances at Jun. 30, 2015		(16,981)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	1,552,404	(17,092)	$ 1,569,496
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	1,552,404	(17,092)	1,569,496
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	487	487
Contributions from parent	50,000		50,000
Distributions to parent	(35,000)		(35,000)
Net loss	(40,350)		(40,350)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2016	1,527,541	(16,605)	1,544,146
Balances at Mar. 31, 2016		(16,839)
Balances at Mar. 31, 2016		(16,839)
Increase (Decrease) in Member's Equity [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	234	234
Net loss	(61,229)
Balances at Jun. 30, 2016	1,527,541	(16,605)	1,544,146
Balances at Jun. 30, 2016	1,527,541	(16,605)	1,544,146
Balances at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 1,527,541	$ (16,605)	$ 1,544,146