Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity investment in investee	$ 2,072	$ 9,072	$ 17,072
Equity method investment, return of capital	7,000	8,000	1,100
CLECO POWER
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity investment in investee	2,072	9,072
Equity method investment, return of capital	$ 7,000	$ 8,000	$ 1,100
CLECO POWER | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%
Ownership percentage by other parties	50.00%