Intangible Assets and Liabilities - Goodwill Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 01, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 13, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,490,797,000		$ 1,490,797,000				$ 1,490,000,000
Carrying value of equity		2,630,189,000	$ 2,574,661,000	2,124,740,000	$ 2,120,468,000	$ 2,093,447,000	$ 2,096,357,000
CLECO POWER
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill	$ 0
Equity, fair value	3,970,000,000
Carrying value of equity	$ 3,400,000,000	$ 1,722,834,000	$ 1,671,014,000	$ 1,594,533,000	$ 1,562,690,000	$ 1,549,331,000	$ 1,550,679,000
Excess of the fair value over the carrying value, percent	16.80%
Excess of the fair value over the carrying value	$ 570,400,000
Accumulated impairment charges	$ 0