Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Holdings (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating expenses
Merger transaction costs	$ 3,606	$ 7,668	$ 19,514
Total operating expenses	1,193,054	1,324,711	986,487
Operating income	305,092	314,894	244,557
Other (expense) income, net	(14,156)	758	(14,328)
Income before income taxes	158,018	195,830	123,819
Federal and state income tax expense	35,718	43,165	29,382
Net income	122,300	152,665	94,437
Cleco Holdings
Operating expenses
Administrative and general	1,497	3,263	1,269
Merger transaction costs	3,606	7,803	19,514
Other operating expense	239	130	318
Total operating expenses	5,342	11,196	21,101
Operating income	(5,342)	(11,196)	(21,101)
Equity income from subsidiaries, net of tax	173,337	205,187	149,543
Interest, net	(64,362)	(70,252)	(54,635)
Other (expense) income, net	3,021	8,568	(1,687)
Income before income taxes	106,654	132,307	72,120
Federal and state income tax expense	(15,646)	(20,358)	(22,317)
Net income	$ 122,300	$ 152,665	$ 94,437