Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Additional share-based compensation cost recognized as a result of an occurrence of an event that accelerates its recognition.

+ References

No definition available.

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- References

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cleco Power [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Tax benefit		$ 0		$ 200		$ 384	$ 564
Cleco Power [Member] \| Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Non-vested stock		0		519		$ 997	1,465
Predecessor [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Tax benefit			$ 1,247	546			1,787
Predecessor [Member] \| Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Non-vested stock			$ 3,241	$ 1,419			$ 4,644
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Non-vested stock granted during the period pursuant to the LTIP (in shares)			0
Merger expense due to accelerated vesting of the LTIP shares	$ 2,300
Successor [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Tax benefit		0			$ 0
Successor [Member] \| Non-vested Stock [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]
Non-vested stock		$ 0			$ 0