Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Apr. 12, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net (loss) income						$ 31,736
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax						(2,131)
Cleco Power
Net (loss) income		$ 35,733	$ (61,229)			53,587	$ (40,350)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax		193	181			(227)	381
Amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings, net of tax		53	53			106	106
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		246	234			(121)	487
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		35,979	$ (60,995)			53,466	$ (39,863)
Successor
Net (loss) income		25,444		$ (81,914)		31,736
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax		60		0		(2,131)
Amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings, net of tax		0		0		0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		60		0		(2,131)
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		$ 25,504		$ (81,914)		$ 29,605
Predecessor
Net (loss) income	$ (23,328)				$ (3,960)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain, net of tax	59				587
Amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings, net of tax	7				60
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	66				647
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$ (23,262)				$ (3,313)