Pension Plan and Employee Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-current	$ 200,580	$ 291,606
OTHER BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current	5,024	5,181
Non-current	38,282	50,093
SERP BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
SERP, current	4,713	4,654
SERP, noncurrent	63,714	88,523
CLECO POWER
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non-current	137,754	205,214
CLECO POWER | OTHER BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current	4,310	4,432
Non-current	30,082	39,315
CLECO POWER | SERP BENEFITS
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
SERP, current	672	679
SERP, noncurrent	$ 9,087	$ 12,909