Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount	$ 263,298	$ 160,798
Total intangible liability carrying amount	(31,900)	0
Total intangible assets carrying amount, net	231,398	160,798
Accumulated amortization	(85,824)	(76,491)
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	145,574	84,307
LTSA
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible liability carrying amount	(24,100)	0
Power supply agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible liability carrying amount	(7,800)	0
Cleco Katrina/Rita right to bill and collect storm recovery charges
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount	70,594	70,594
Cleco Katrina/Rita right to bill and collect storm recovery charges | CLECO POWER
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount, net	177,537	177,537
Accumulated amortization	(161,314)	(156,444)
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	16,223	21,093
Trade name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount	5,100	5,100
Power supply agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount	$ 187,604	$ 85,104