Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recent Authoritative Guidance Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 28,791		$ 0
Operating lease liability	28,757
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets		$ 16,100
Operating lease liability		16,100
CLECO POWER
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 28,633		$ 0
CLECO POWER | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets		15,900
Operating lease liability		$ 15,900