Recent Authoritative Guidance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets	$ 29,719		$ 0
Lease liabilities	29,533
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets		$ 16,100
Lease liabilities		16,100
CLECO POWER
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets	29,375		$ 0
Lease liabilities	$ 29,298
CLECO POWER | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right of use assets		15,900
Lease liabilities		$ 15,900