Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Cleco Securitization I Financial Statement Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	$ 14,902		$ 14,902			$ 1,674
Accounts receivable - affiliate	13,111		13,111			3,041
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	267,954		267,954			93,455
Accounts payable - affiliate	13,092		13,092			51,297
Interest accrued	44,876		44,876			15,203
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	3,306,016		3,306,016			3,390,033
Member’s equity	2,960,078	$ 2,976,386	2,960,078	$ 2,976,386	$ 2,978,446	2,954,156	$ 2,856,380	$ 2,757,023
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	674,543	517,194	1,669,143	1,290,937
Total operating expenses	558,933	325,629	1,297,631	929,088
Interest income	2,238	941	4,236	2,416
Interest charges, net	40,353	35,174	111,018	103,092
Income before income taxes	73,983	150,479	255,030	250,044
Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	415,946		415,946			0
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	5,552,000		5,552,000
Accounts receivable - affiliate	3,724,000		3,724,000
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	9,574,000		9,574,000
Accounts payable - affiliate	85,000		85,000
Interest accrued	5,213,000		5,213,000
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	408,622,000		408,622,000
Member’s equity	1,728,000		1,728,000
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	5,025	0	5,025	0
Total operating expenses	90	0	90	0
Interest income	10	0	10	0
Interest charges, net	4,861	0	5,342	0
Income before income taxes	84	0	(397)	0
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	415,946,000		415,946,000
CLECO POWER
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	14,902		14,902			1,674
Accounts receivable - affiliate	2,486		2,486			13,612
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	35,382		35,382			25,755
Accounts payable - affiliate	10,837		10,837			69,729
Interest accrued	26,544		26,544			5,080
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	1,886,216		1,886,216			1,800,854
Member’s equity	1,978,608	1,911,572	1,978,608	1,911,572	$ 1,991,005	1,948,537	$ 1,854,598	$ 1,807,879
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	500,839	380,552	1,206,144	908,695
Total operating expenses	435,504	300,475	1,002,288	740,158
Interest income	1,726	936	3,501	2,404
Interest charges, net	24,303	19,054	65,147	56,672
Income before income taxes	42,595	57,109	140,262	102,188
CLECO POWER | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	415,946		415,946			$ 0
CLECO POWER | VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	5,552,000		5,552,000
Accounts receivable - affiliate	3,724,000		3,724,000
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	9,574,000		9,574,000
Accounts payable - affiliate	85,000		85,000
Interest accrued	5,213,000		5,213,000
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	408,622,000		408,622,000
Member’s equity	1,728,000		1,728,000
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	5,025	0	5,025	0
Total operating expenses	90	0	90	0
Interest income	10	0	10	0
Interest charges, net	4,861	0	5,342	0
Income before income taxes	84	$ 0	(397)	$ 0
CLECO POWER | VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	$ 415,946,000		$ 415,946,000