Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Amortization of Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
LTSA
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible liabilities	$ 871	$ 0	$ 2,323	$ 0
Power supply agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible liabilities	882	0	2,352	0
Cleco Katrina/Rita right to bill and collect storm recovery charges
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	5,660	5,623	15,702	15,617
Cleco Katrina/Rita right to bill and collect storm recovery charges | CLECO POWER
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	5,660	5,623	15,702	15,617
Trade name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	64	64	191	191
Power supply agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 6,474	$ 2,420	$ 17,873	$ 7,260