Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	$ 1,364		$ 138		$ 1,602	$ 264
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	33		33		$ 99	99
Successor [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	(1,442)			$ (1,442)
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	$ 0			$ 0
Predecessor [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits		$ 367	366			1,158
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges		$ 37	$ 33			$ 99