Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$ 3,005	$ 814	$ 1,457
ADDITIONS	6,176	2,323	977
DEDUCTIONS	6,423	132	1,620
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	2,758	3,005	814
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts | CLECO POWER
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	3,005	814	1,457
ADDITIONS	6,176	2,323	977
DEDUCTIONS	6,423	132	1,620
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	2,758	3,005	814
Unrestricted Storm Reserve
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	1,100	3,672	4,186
ADDITIONS	12,329	4,000	0
DEDUCTIONS	13,429	6,572	514
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	0	1,100	3,672
Unrestricted Storm Reserve | CLECO POWER
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	1,100	3,672	4,186
ADDITIONS	12,329	4,000	0
DEDUCTIONS	13,429	6,572	514
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	0	1,100	3,672
Restricted Storm Reserve
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	12,285	15,485	14,469
ADDITIONS	44	800	1,016
DEDUCTIONS	12,329	4,000	0
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	0	12,285	15,485
Restricted Storm Reserve | CLECO POWER
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	12,285	15,485	14,469
ADDITIONS	44	800	1,016
DEDUCTIONS	12,329	4,000	0
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD	$ 0	$ 12,285	$ 15,485