Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total regulatory assets, net	$ 312,497	$ 307,374
CLECO POWER
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	(1,700)
Total regulatory assets, net	146,292	134,755
CLECO POWER | Deferred taxes, net
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	(149,461)	(155,537)
CLECO POWER | Corporate franchise tax, net
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory assets	1,700	1,416
CLECO POWER | Energy efficiency
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	(1,463)
CLECO POWER | Other, net
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Regulatory liabilities	$ (11,060)	$ (4,979)