Allegations By Plaintiff, Failure To Perform

No definition available.

Name:	cnl_AllegationsByPlaintiffFailureToPerform
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Capitalized Storm, Restoration Costs

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_CapitalizedStormRestorationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate refunds recognized during an accounting period. Returns are a deduction from gross revenue in arriving at net income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_ElectricCustomerCredits
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of actions filed in a legal matter.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_LossContingencyNumberofActionsFiled
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Public Utilities, Proposed Return on Equity, Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cnl_PublicUtilitiesProposedReturnonEquityPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	cnl_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for known or estimated future costs arising from requirements to perform environmental remediation activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237650&loc=d3e13064-110858

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13296-110859

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fuel costs incurred that are directly related to goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123367319&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FuelCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16)(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124440162&loc=d3e12021-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of public utility's approved return on equity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesApprovedReturnOnEquityPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of public utility's requested rate increase (decrease) with regulatory agency.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreasePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Present value of the asset for third-party recoveries related to environmental remediation obligations as of the balance sheet date (if the receivable is discounted).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RecordedThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=cnl_GulfCoastSpinningstartupcostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=cnl_GulfCoastSpinningconstructionofcottonspinningfacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnl_ClecoPowerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis=cnl_WinterStormsUriViolaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis=cnl_FederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis=cnl_LPSCJan2016ToDec2017EACAuditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis=cnl_MISOTransmissionRatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis=cnl_LPSC20162017FuelAuditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnl_GulfCoastSpinningCompanyLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=cnl_DiversifiedLandsLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=cnl_ClecoCajunMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnl_Actionsfiledinthe9thJudicialDistrictCourtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=cnl_AllegedBreachofFiduciaryDutiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_LitigationCaseAxis=cnl_ActionsfiledintheCivilDistrictCourtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=cnl_NRGSouthCentralMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees - Litigation (Details) $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended						6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended	30 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2020	May 21, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Apr. 13, 2016 claim	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2021 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Litigation [Line Items]
Electric customer credits												$ 40,634	$ 53,271	$ 39,963
Accrual for various litigation matters												6,000
Gulf Coast Spinning start up costs
Litigation [Line Items]
Startup costs								$ 6,500
Gulf Coast Spinning construction of cotton spinning facility
Litigation [Line Items]
Startup costs								$ 60,000
CLECO POWER
Litigation [Line Items]
Electric customer credits												40,878	$ 53,119	$ 38,516
CLECO POWER \| Deferred storm restoration costs - Winter Storms Uri & Viola
Litigation [Line Items]
Capitalized storm restoration costs												8,100						$ 50,000
CLECO POWER \| FERC
Litigation [Line Items]
Electric customer credits					$ 4,400						$ 4,400
CLECO POWER \| LPSC Jan 2016 To Dec 2017 EAC Audit
Litigation [Line Items]
Environmental expenses included in audit															$ 26,200
CLECO POWER \| MISO Transmission Rates
Litigation [Line Items]
Return on equity proposed/recommended	10.52%		10.38%			10.32%	9.70%
CLECO POWER \| MISO Transmission Rates \| FERC
Litigation [Line Items]
Return on equity established by FERC										12.38%
Return on equity proposed/recommended		10.02%					9.88%									6.68%
Requested rate increase									0.00%
CLECO POWER \| LPSC 2016-2017 Fuel Audit
Litigation [Line Items]
Fuel expenses included in audit															$ 565,800
Gulf Coast Spinning Company, LLC \| Gulf Coast Spinning construction of cotton spinning facility \| Diversified Lands LLC
Litigation [Line Items]
Loans payable																			$ 2,000
CLECO CAJUN
Litigation [Line Items]
Indemnification assets												22,200
Actions filed in the 9th Judicial District Court \| Alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duties
Litigation [Line Items]
Number of actions filed \| claim				4
Actions filed in the Civil District Court \| Alleged Breach of Fiduciary Duties
Litigation [Line Items]
Number of actions filed \| claim				3
NRG South Central
Litigation [Line Items]
Accrual for various litigation matters												$ 1,500
NRG South Central \| CLECO CAJUN
Litigation [Line Items]
Environmental contingent liability																	$ 10,000
Indemnification assets																	$ 10,000