Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information and Other Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ROU assets
Operating	$ 29,719	$ 29,719	$ 0
Finance	15,120	15,120
Total ROU assets	44,839	44,839
Current lease liabilities
Operating	3,705	3,705
Finance	602	602
Non-current lease liabilities
Operating	25,828	25,828	0
Finance	15,404	15,404
Total lease liabilities	45,539	45,539
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	1,108	3,387
Operating cash flows from finance leases	410	1,240
Financing cash flows from finance leases	141	412
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities	$ 15,749	$ 15,881
Operating leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	10 years 11 months	10 years 11 months
Weighted-average discount rate	4.31%	4.31%
Finance leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	13 years 6 months	13 years 6 months
Weighted-average discount rate	10.18%	10.18%
CLECO POWER
ROU assets
Operating	$ 29,375	$ 29,375	0
Finance	15,120	15,120	15,960
Total ROU assets	44,495	44,495
Current lease liabilities
Operating	3,616	3,616
Finance	602	602
Non-current lease liabilities
Operating	25,682	25,682	$ 0
Finance	15,404	15,404
Total lease liabilities	45,304	45,304
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	1,034	3,189
Operating cash flows from finance leases	410	1,240
Financing cash flows from finance leases	141	412
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities	$ 15,749	$ 15,749
Operating leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	11 years	11 years
Weighted-average discount rate	4.31%	4.31%
Finance leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term	13 years 6 months	13 years 6 months
Weighted-average discount rate	10.18%	10.18%