Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets carrying amount	$ 259,698	$ 160,798
Total intangible liability carrying amount	38,300	0
Net intangible assets carrying amount	221,398	160,798
Accumulated amortization	(105,583)	(76,491)
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	115,815	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	14,200	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]
Net intangible assets carrying amount	177,537	177,537
Accumulated amortization	(172,146)	(156,444)
Net intangible assets subject to amortization	5,391	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	$ 184,004	$ 85,104