Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees - Asset Retirement Obligation (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Litigation [Line Items]
Increase in ARO liabilities	$ 46,673
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	28,022
Liabilities settled	(1,433)
Accretion	1,077
Revisions and adjustments	46,673
Ending balance	74,339
Cleco Power
Litigation [Line Items]
Increase in ARO liabilities	11,271
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,364
Liabilities settled	0
Accretion	354
Revisions and adjustments	11,271
Ending balance	22,989
CLECO CAJUN
Litigation [Line Items]
Increase in ARO liabilities	35,402
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,658
Liabilities settled	(1,433)
Accretion	723
Revisions and adjustments	35,402
Ending balance	51,350
Indemnification assets, maximum environmental costs	25,000
Indemnification assets	22,200
Indemnification assets, current	1,100
Indemnification assets, noncurrent	$ 21,100