Variable Interest Entities - Equity Method investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 9,072	$ 17,072	$ 18,172
Cleco Power
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Purchase price	12,873	12,873
Cash contributions	6,399	6,399
Dividend received	(10,200)	(2,200)
Total equity investment in investee	$ 9,072	$ 17,072