Miscellaneous Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue, net	$ 296,767	$ 358,256	$ 299,261	$ 276,760	$ 277,985	$ 338,499	$ 308,661	$ 250,501	$ 1,231,044
Operating income	50,004	86,110	63,709	44,734	52,702	97,790	73,270	41,462
Net income	10,377	47,360	25,839	10,861	61,040	45,304	25,444	6,292
Distributions to member	10,850	20,600	20,400	19,500	110	28,300	26,700	28,955
CLECO POWER
Quarterly Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue, net	299,409	360,899	301,901	279,387	280,093	340,614	310,787	253,703	1,241,596	$ 1,185,196	$ 1,159,173
Operating income	59,786	96,063	72,602	50,521	60,798	101,357	76,667	46,424	278,972	285,245	137,529
Net income	29,897	63,336	43,020	26,004	42,299	54,852	35,733	17,854	162,257	150,738	39,128
Distributions to member	$ 0	$ 50,400	$ 43,000	$ 28,000	$ 60,000	$ 15,000	$ 25,000	$ 35,000	$ 121,400	$ 135,000	$ 110,000