Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Apr. 12, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cleco Power [Member]
Net (loss) income			$ (61,229)		$ 31,813	$ (40,350)	$ 60,418
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits gain (loss) (net of tax)			181		288	381	201
Net gain on cash flow hedges (net of tax)			53		53	106	106
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			234		341	487	307
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax			$ (60,995)		32,154	$ (39,863)	60,725
Successor [Member]
Net (loss) income		$ (81,914)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits gain (loss) (net of tax)		0
Net gain on cash flow hedges (net of tax)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		0
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		$ (81,914)
Predecessor [Member]
Net (loss) income	$ (23,328)			$ (3,960)	30,234		57,156
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits gain (loss) (net of tax)	59			587	656		1,265
Net gain on cash flow hedges (net of tax)	7			60	53		106
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	66			647	709		1,371
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$ (23,262)			$ (3,313)	$ 30,943		$ 58,527