Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Cleco Securitization I Financial Statement Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	$ 15,579		$ 23,549
Accounts receivable - affiliate	14,643		14,613
Total assets	8,072,079		8,253,750
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	180,606		340,867
Accounts payable - affiliate	13,092		13,092
Interest accrued	41,389		25,540
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	3,294,875		3,139,094
Member’s equity	2,842,623	$ 3,099,914	2,947,067	$ 2,954,156
Total liabilities and member’s equity	8,072,079		8,253,750
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	320,581	312,627
Total operating expenses	(286,143)	(263,724)
Interest income	1,267	743
Interest charges, net	(40,005)	(33,025)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,016)	17,659
Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	408,882		413,123
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	6,056		14,139
Accounts receivable - affiliate	4,160		3,348
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	14,214		9,574
Accounts payable	30		0
Accounts payable - affiliate	28		165
Interest accrued	1,569		9,953
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	401,124		408,741
Member’s equity	2,133		2,177
Total liabilities and member’s equity	419,098		430,610
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	9,177	0
Total operating expenses	(4,354)	0
Interest income	158	0
Interest charges, net	(4,956)	0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	25	0
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	408,882		413,123
Total assets	419,098		430,610
CLECO POWER
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	15,579		23,549
Accounts receivable - affiliate	2,433		3,771
Total assets	5,345,647		5,344,173
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	115,006		110,344
Accounts payable - affiliate	11,252		12,448
Interest accrued	22,833		15,276
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	1,778,878		1,786,447
Member’s equity	2,045,888	1,987,930	2,022,912	$ 1,948,537
Total liabilities and member’s equity	5,345,647		5,344,173
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	324,688	316,504
Total operating expenses	(279,765)	(257,591)
Interest income	1,185	740
Interest charges, net	(24,855)	(19,185)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	24,307	39,748
CLECO POWER | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	408,882		413,123
CLECO POWER | VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	6,056		14,139
Accounts receivable - affiliate	4,160		3,348
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year	14,214		9,574
Accounts payable	30		0
Accounts payable - affiliate	28		165
Interest accrued	1,569		9,953
Long-term debt and finance leases, net	401,124		408,741
Member’s equity	2,133		2,177
Total liabilities and member’s equity	419,098		430,610
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue, net	9,177	0
Total operating expenses	(4,354)	0
Interest income	158	0
Interest charges, net	(4,956)	0
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	25	$ 0
CLECO POWER | VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Storm recover property
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible assets	408,882		413,123
Total assets	$ 419,098		$ 430,610