Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Member Interest [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	AOCI [Member]	Cleco Power [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Cleco Power [Member] AOCI [Member]
Balances. Beginning (Predecessor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,627,270	$ 451,223		$ 1,208,712	$ (32,665)
Balances, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2014						$ 1,545,858	$ 1,563,146	$ (17,288)
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued for compensatory plans | Predecessor [Member]	5,189	5,189
Dividends on common stock | Predecessor [Member]	(97,367)			(97,367)
Distribution to member						(135,000)	(135,000)
Net income (loss) | Predecessor [Member]	133,669			133,669
Net income (loss)						141,350	141,350
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Predecessor [Member]	6,080				6,080
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax						196		196
Balances, Ending (Predecessor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2015	1,674,841	456,412		1,245,014	(26,585)
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2015						1,552,404	1,569,496	(17,092)
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued for compensatory plans | Predecessor [Member]	(1,277)	(1,277)
Dividends on common stock | Predecessor [Member]	(24,190)			(24,190)
Net income (loss) | Predecessor [Member]	(3,960)			(3,960)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Predecessor [Member]	647				647
Balances, Ending (Predecessor [Member]) at Apr. 12, 2016	1,646,061	455,135		1,216,864	(25,938)
Balances. Beginning (Predecessor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2015	1,674,841	456,412		1,245,014	(26,585)
Balances, Beginning at Dec. 31, 2015						1,552,404	1,569,496	(17,092)
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Distribution to member						(110,000)	(110,000)
Net income (loss)						39,128	39,128
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax						3,670		3,670
Contribution from parent						50,000	50,000
Balances, Ending (Successor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2016	2,046,763		$ 2,069,376	(24,113)	1,500
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2016						1,535,202	1,548,624	(13,422)
Balances. Beginning (Predecessor [Member]) at Apr. 12, 2016	1,646,061	$ 455,135		1,216,864	(25,938)
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) | Successor [Member]	(24,113)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Successor [Member]	1,500
Balances, Ending (Successor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2016	2,046,763		2,069,376	(24,113)	1,500
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2016						1,535,202	1,548,624	(13,422)
Balances, Beginning (Successor [Member]) at Apr. 13, 2016	2,158,141		2,158,141	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Distribution to member | Successor [Member]	(88,765)		(88,765)
Net income (loss) | Successor [Member]	(24,113)			(24,113)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Successor [Member]	1,500				1,500
Balances, Ending (Successor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2016	2,046,763		2,069,376	(24,113)	1,500
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2016						1,535,202	1,548,624	(13,422)
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Distribution to member | Successor [Member]	(84,065)			(84,065)
Distribution to member						(135,000)	(135,000)
Net income (loss) | Successor [Member]	138,080			138,080
Net income (loss)						150,738	150,738
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | Successor [Member]	(4,421)				(4,421)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax						(261)		(261)
Balances, Ending (Successor [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 2,096,357		$ 2,069,376	$ 29,902	$ (2,921)
Balances, Ending at Dec. 31, 2017						$ 1,550,679	$ 1,564,362	$ (13,683)