Recent Authoritative Guidance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in other operations expenses	$ 37,395	$ 25,464	$ 95,875	$ 81,025
Increase in other expense	3,378	3,977	10,306	10,196
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in other operations expenses		(2,700)		(8,400)
Increase in other expense		2,700		8,400
CLECO POWER
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in other operations expenses	32,619	26,816	86,736	84,732
Increase in other expense	$ 2,929	3,163	$ 8,637	7,554
CLECO POWER | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in other operations expenses		(1,900)		(5,700)
Increase in other expense		$ 1,900		$ 5,700