Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net (loss) income	$ 6,292
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(2,191)
Cleco Power [Member]
Net (loss) income	17,854	$ 20,879
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax	(420)	200
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	53	53
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(367)	253
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	17,487	21,132
Successor [Member]
Net (loss) income	6,292
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax	(2,191)
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(2,191)
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$ 4,101
Predecessor [Member]
Net (loss) income		19,368
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax		528
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax		53
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		581
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		$ 19,949