Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Changes in Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Receivable, threshold period past due	20 days
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,758	$ 3,005
Current period provision	4,003	5,029
Charge-offs	(6,919)	(6,423)
Recovery	1,460	1,076
Ending balance	1,302	2,758
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,638	1,250
Current period provision	0	388
Charge-offs	0	0
Recovery	0	0
Ending balance	1,638	1,638
Receivable, Allowance For Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,396	4,255
Current period provision	4,003	5,417
Charge-offs	(6,919)	(6,423)
Recovery	1,460	1,076
Ending balance	2,940	4,396
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 | CECL adoption
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		71
Receivable, Allowance For Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		71
Cleco Power
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,758	3,005
Current period provision	4,003	5,029
Charge-offs	(6,919)	(6,423)
Recovery	1,460	1,076
Ending balance	$ 1,302	2,758
Cleco Power | Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 | CECL adoption
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 71