The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

+ 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 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

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Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 25, 2016
Katrina/Rita Storm Recovery Collections, Net of Administration Fees [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash					$ 21,200
Katrina Rita Bond Principal Payments [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	$ (8,300)	$ (8,500)
Katrina Rita Bond Interest Payments [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	$ (2,100)	$ (2,300)
Predecessor [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current						$ 9,263
Non-current						16,195
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents						25,458
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash			$ (4,847)			1,341	$ 10,097
Predecessor [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current						9,263
Predecessor [Member] \| Diversified Lands Mitigation Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Non-current						21
Predecessor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Non-current						16,174
Predecessor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Charitable Contributions [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current						0
Non-current						0
Predecessor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Rate Credit Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current						0
Non-current						0
Successor [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				$ 23,084	23,084
Non-current				23,410	23,410
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents				46,494	46,494
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash				25,884
Successor [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				9,213	9,213
Successor [Member] \| Diversified Lands Mitigation Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Non-current				21	21
Successor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Non-current				17,379	17,379
Successor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Charitable Contributions [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				1,200	1,200
Non-current				4,179	4,179
Successor [Member] \| Cleco Power's Rate Credit Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				12,671	12,671
Non-current				1,831	1,831
Cleco Power [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				23,084	23,084	9,263
Non-current				23,389	23,389	16,174
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents				46,473	46,473	25,437
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash					21,037	1,341	$ 10,097
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Katrina Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				9,213	9,213	9,263
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Power's Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Non-current				17,379	17,379	16,174
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Power's Charitable Contributions [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				1,200	1,200	0
Non-current				4,179	4,179	0
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents								$ 6,000
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash					(600)
Cleco Power [Member] \| Cleco Power's Rate Credit Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Current				12,671	12,671	0
Non-current				$ 1,831	1,831	$ 0
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents								$ 136,000
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash					$ (121,500)