Amount of capital lease obligation due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455314&loc=d3e45023-112735

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the fee that accompanies borrowing money under the debt instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net increase or decrease in the carrying amount of the debt instrument for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital leases due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations including current maturities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoKatrinaRitaStormRecoveryBondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_DebtIssuanceCostAmortizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoCorporateHoldingsdebtvariableratedue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoHoldingsseniornotes3.743due2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoHoldingsseniornotes4.973due2046Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoHoldingsseniornotes3.250due2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoCorporateHoldingsdebtvariableratedue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_DebtDiscountAmortizationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cnl_ClecoPowerssolidwastedisposalfacilitybonds4.70due2036callableafterNovember12016Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				9 Months Ended
Debt, Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2016	Jun. 29, 2016	Apr. 13, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 28, 2016	May 24, 2016	May 17, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding				$ 2,760,000
Long-term debt due within one year				20,400
Capital lease payments due within one year				2,500
Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for long term debt due within one year				17,900
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Debt Issuance Cost Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs			$ 17,700
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount			$ 1,350,000
Term			3 years
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings' senior notes, 3.743%, due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount							$ 535,000
Interest rate							3.743%
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings' senior notes, 4.973%, due 2046 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount							$ 350,000
Interest rate							4.973%
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings' senior notes, 3.250%, due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount						$ 165,000
Interest rate						3.25%
Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Corporate Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount					$ 300,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding				1,240,000
Long-term debt due within one year				20,385				$ 19,421
Capital lease payments due within one year				2,500
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt				(17,800)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt				(1,900)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments for long term debt due within one year				17,900
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt				(16,800)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Debt Discount Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt				300
Cleco Power [Member] \| Debt Issuance Cost Amortization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt				$ 600
Base Rate [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				0.75%
Base Rate [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			0.75%
Base Rate [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Corporate Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		0.625%
Base Rate [Member] \| Cleco Power [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				0.125%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Cleco Holdings [Member] \| Cleco Corporate Holdings debt, variable rate, due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				2.155%
Basis spread on variable rate		1.625%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Cleco Power [Member] \| Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				1.125%
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Power's solid waste disposal facility bonds, 4.70%, due 2036, callable after November 1, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption of Bonds, Amount	$ 60,000
Interest Paid	$ 1,400