Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	$ 2,757,023	$ 2,643,006	$ 2,124,740
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Balance, ending	2,954,156	2,757,023	2,643,006
Cleco Power
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	1,807,879	1,713,392	1,594,533
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Postretirement benefit adjustments incurred during the year	4,606	(4,050)	(10,344)
Balance, ending	1,948,537	1,807,879	1,713,392
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT NET GAIN (LOSS)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	(25,796)	(17,513)	1,786
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Postretirement benefit adjustments incurred during the year	1,470	(10,026)	(18,877)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	697	1,743	(422)
Balance, ending	(23,629)	(25,796)	(17,513)
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT NET GAIN (LOSS) | Cleco Power
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	(19,139)	(16,717)	(7,060)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Postretirement benefit adjustments incurred during the year	4,606	(4,050)	(10,344)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,648	1,628	687
Balance, ending	(12,885)	(19,139)	(16,717)
NET (LOSS) GAIN ON CASH FLOW HEDGES | Cleco Power
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	(5,614)	(5,868)	(6,122)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Postretirement benefit adjustments incurred during the year	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(316)	(254)	(254)
Balance, ending	(5,298)	(5,614)	(5,868)
TOTAL AOCI
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	(25,796)	(17,513)	1,786
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Balance, ending	(23,629)	(25,796)	(17,513)
TOTAL AOCI | Cleco Power
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	(24,753)	(22,585)	(13,182)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Balance, ending	$ (18,183)	$ (24,753)	$ (22,585)