Pension Plan and Employee Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-current	$ 291,606	$ 314,653
OTHER BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current	5,181	4,463
Non-current	50,093	51,868
SERP BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
SERP, current	4,654	4,703
SERP, noncurrent	88,523	92,522
CLECO POWER
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-current	205,214	230,825
CLECO POWER | OTHER BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current	4,432	3,865
Non-current	39,315	40,734
CLECO POWER | SERP BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
SERP, current	679	711
SERP, noncurrent	$ 12,909	$ 19,828