Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 119,040	$ 23,077	$ 68,246
Other accounts receivable	30,806	19,778
Cash surrender value of trust-owned life insurance policies	83,117	77,225
Total current assets	571,725	427,042
Equity investment in subsidiaries	18,172	18,672
Tax credit fund investment, net	4,355	11,888
Other deferred charges	35,351	39,115
Total assets	6,278,382	6,343,144
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	147,562	112,087
Taxes payable, net	22,698	3,942
Interest accrued	14,703	14,783
Other current liabilities	18,344	14,850
Deferred compensation	12,132	11,654
Total current liabilities	300,354	252,176
Postretirement benefit obligations	242,135	223,003
Other deferred credits	31,635	29,440
Total liabilities	4,182,025	4,296,381
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Member's Equity [Abstract]
Membership interest	2,069,376	2,069,376
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	29,902	(24,113)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,921)	1,500
Total member's equity	2,096,357	2,046,763
Total liabilities and member’s equity	6,278,382	6,343,144
Cleco Holdings [Member]
Current Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	48,732	1,377
Accounts receivable - affiliate	6,880	7,070
Other accounts receivable	209	395
Taxes receivable, net	15,172	0
Cash surrender value of trust-owned life insurance policies	62,839	57,207
Total current assets	133,832	66,049
Equity investment in subsidiaries	3,226,780	3,223,920
Tax credit fund investment, net	4,355	11,888
Accumulated deferred federal and state income taxes, net	105,575	140,577
Other deferred charges	1,037	1,351
Total assets	3,471,579	3,443,785
Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable	4,354	3,424
Accounts payable - affiliate	5,621	14,521
Taxes payable, net	0	13,998
Interest accrued	7,621	7,642
Other current liabilities	272	270
Deferred compensation	12,132	11,654
Total current liabilities	30,000	51,509
Postretirement benefit obligations	4,404	4,280
Other deferred credits	0	1,100
Long-term debt	1,340,818	1,340,133
Total liabilities	1,375,222	1,397,022
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Member's Equity [Abstract]
Membership interest	2,069,376	2,069,376
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	29,902	(24,113)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,921)	1,500
Total member's equity	2,096,357	2,046,763
Total liabilities and member’s equity	$ 3,471,579	$ 3,443,785