Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	$ 15	$ (1,370)
Cleco Power
Net tax expense (benefit) of gain (loss) on postretirement benefits	83	(262)
Net tax expense on cash flow hedges	$ 22	$ 33

Amount, after reclassification adjustment, of tax (expense) benefit for (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 19
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96868048&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (i-k)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=SL7669646-108580

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration