Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Holdings (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 182,640		$ 205,819		$ 430,119
Investing activities
Return on equity investment in investee	7,000		8,000		1,100
Net cash used in investing activities	(300,833)		(377,907)		(1,115,423)
Financing activities
Draws on revolving credit facilities	185,000		238,000		108,000
Payments on revolving credit facilities	(260,000)		(163,000)		(108,000)
Payment of financing costs	(4,408)		(4,570)		(5,959)
Net cash provided by financing activities	178,910		119,758		687,813
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	60,717		(52,330)		2,509
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	90,265	[1]	142,595		140,086
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	150,982	[2]	90,265	[1]	142,595
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	126,061		130,544		130,988
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	72		(2,777)		(19)
Parent Company
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	56,054		73,452		189,644
Investing activities
Return on equity investment in investee	0		0		1,625
Contribution to subsidiary	0		0		(962,170)
Net cash used in investing activities	0		0		(960,545)
Financing activities
Draws on revolving credit facilities	0		88,000		75,000
Payments on revolving credit facilities	0		(88,000)		(75,000)
Issuances of long-term debt	0		0		700,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(66,000)		(64,000)		(370,000)
Payment of financing costs	(1,268)		(2,838)		(5,929)
Contribution from member	0		0		384,900
Net cash provided by financing activities	(67,268)		(66,838)		708,971
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	(11,214)		6,614		(61,930)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	21,622		15,008		76,938
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	10,408		21,622		15,008
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	57,688		62,745		56,768
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	$ 0		$ (2,942)		$ (19)

[1] Includes cash and cash equivalents of $84,976, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $4,545, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $744.

[2] Includes cash and cash equivalents of $148,563, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $1,674, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $745.