Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Holdings (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 344,912		$ 182,640		$ 205,819
Investing activities
Return on investment in trust-owned life insurance policies	41,671		820		1,912
Net cash used in investing activities	(193,257)		(300,833)		(377,907)
Financing activities
Payment of financing costs	(6,968)		(4,408)		(4,570)
Distributions to member	(219,588)		0		0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(111,065)		178,910		119,758
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	150,982	[1]	90,265		142,595
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	191,572	[1]	150,982	[1]	90,265
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	131,760		126,061		130,544
Income taxes refunded, net	0		72		(2,777)
Parent Company
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	180,270		56,054		73,452
Investing activities
Return on investment in trust-owned life insurance policies	35,175		0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	35,175		0		0
Financing activities
Draws on revolving credit facilities	64,000		0		88,000
Payments on revolving credit facilities	0		0		(88,000)
Repayments of long-term debt	(67,700)		(66,000)		(64,000)
Payment of financing costs	(9)		(1,268)		(2,838)
Distributions to member	(219,588)		0		0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(223,297)		(67,268)		(66,838)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	(7,852)		(11,214)		6,614
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,408		21,622		15,008
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	2,556		10,408		21,622
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	59,848		57,688		62,745
Income taxes refunded, net	$ 0		$ 0		$ (2,942)

[1] (1) Includes cash and cash equivalents of $148,563, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $1,674, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $745. (2) Includes cash and cash equivalents of $57,875, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $23,549, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $110,148.