Fair Value Accounting and Financial Instruments - Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Details) - DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	$ 31,807	$ 50,278	$ 163,585	$ 58,132
Price risk derivatives | Accumulated deferred fuel
Commodity-related contracts
Unrealized gains (losses) associated with FTRs	4,300	(400)	4,300	(400)
Price risk derivatives | CLECO POWER
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	4,234	530	4,580	794
Price risk derivatives | CLECO POWER | Accumulated deferred fuel
Commodity-related contracts
Unrealized gains (losses) associated with FTRs	4,300	(400)	4,300	(400)
Price risk derivatives | Electric operations
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	6,080	1,763	7,663	9,207
Price risk derivatives | Electric operations | CLECO POWER
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	6,080	1,763	7,663	9,208
Price risk derivatives | Purchased power
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	(11,689)	(3,168)	(9,966)	(8,972)
Price risk derivatives | Purchased power | CLECO POWER
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	(1,846)	(1,233)	(3,083)	(8,414)
Natural gas derivatives | Fuel used for electric generation
Commodity-related contracts
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	$ 37,416	$ 51,683	$ 165,888	$ 57,897