Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets [Abstract]
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 0	$ 2,674
Cleco Power [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 7,199	$ 922
Predecessor [Member]
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)		100,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)		61,058,918
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)		60,482,468
Treasury stock (in shares)		576,450
Premium on common stock		$ 418,500
Common Stock, Value, Issued		61,100
Treasury Stock, Value		$ 23,200

Value received from shareholders in common stock-related transactions that are in excess of par value or stated value and amounts received from other stock-related transactions. Includes only common stock transactions (excludes preferred stock transactions). May be called contributed capital, capital in excess of par, capital surplus, or paid-in capital.

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A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

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-Publisher FASB
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Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable common stock (or common stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity.

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Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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The amount allocated to treasury stock. Treasury stock is common and preferred shares of an entity that were issued, repurchased by the entity, and are held in its treasury.

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