Variable Interest Entities - Carrying Amount of Assets and Liabilities with Maximum Exposure to Loss (Details) - CLECO POWER - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Oxbow’s net assets/liabilities	$ 34,145	$ 34,145
Oxbow
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cleco Power’s 50% equity	17,072	17,072
Cleco Power’s maximum exposure to loss	$ 17,072	$ 17,072