Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 12, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Successor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net tax expense (benefit) on post-retirement benefits		$ 938	$ (2,764)
Net tax expense on amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings		0	0
Successor [Member] | Cleco Holdings [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net tax expense (benefit) on post-retirement benefits		938	(2,764)
Net tax expense on amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings		$ 0	$ 0
Predecessor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net tax expense (benefit) on post-retirement benefits	$ 367			$ 3,670
Net tax expense on amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings	37			132
Predecessor [Member] | Cleco Holdings [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net tax expense (benefit) on post-retirement benefits	367			3,670
Net tax expense on amortization of interest rate derivatives to earnings	$ 37			$ 132