Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cleco Power [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	$ (262)	$ 125
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	33	33
Successor [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	(1,370)
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	$ 0
Predecessor [Member]
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits		330
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges		$ 33