Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 18,172	$ 18,172
CLECO POWER
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Purchase price	12,873	12,873
Cash contributions	6,399	6,399
Dividend received	(1,100)	(1,100)
Total equity investment in investee	18,172	18,172
Comparison of carrying amount of assets and liabilities to maximum loss exposure [Abstract]
Oxbow’s net assets/liabilities	36,345	36,345
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	4,128	2,318
Total assets	38,719	38,160
Current liabilities	2,374	1,815
Partners’ capital	36,345	36,345
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	38,719	38,160
Operating revenue	6,992	4,189	$ 5,459
Operating expenses	6,992	4,189	5,459
Income before taxes	0	0	$ 0
CLECO POWER | Property, plant, and equipment, net
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Noncurrent assets	25,186	25,656
CLECO POWER | Other assets
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Noncurrent assets	$ 9,405	10,186
CLECO POWER | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage	50.00%
Ownership percentage by other parties	50.00%
Comparison of carrying amount of assets and liabilities to maximum loss exposure [Abstract]
Cleco Power’s 50% equity	$ 18,172	18,172
Cleco Power’s maximum exposure to loss	$ 18,172	$ 18,172