Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Reclassification of Continuing Operations to Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on classification as held for sale					$ (154,000)	$ 0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$ (142,729)	$ (21,860)			(9,707)	(54,573)
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | CLECO CAJUN
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Electric operations	153,025	140,767			385,249	370,489
Other operations	34,231	39,573			95,413	111,897
Operating revenue, net	187,256	180,340			480,662	482,386
Fuel used for electric generation	41,339	59,435			70,053	141,189
Purchased power	67,297	111,901			175,884	275,531
Other operations and maintenance	28,611	20,727			75,926	61,726
Depreciation and amortization	433	12,046			15,448	55,866
Total operating expenses	137,680	204,109			337,311	534,312
Operating income (loss)	49,576	(23,769)			143,351	(51,926)
Other expense, net	(7)
Other income, net		12			125	96
Interest, net	(1,835)	(1,712)			(5,545)	(3,663)
Loss on classification as held for sale	(38,000)	0			(154,000)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	9,734	(25,469)			(16,069)	(55,493)
Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)	152,463	(3,609)			(6,362)	(920)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$ (142,729)	$ (21,860)			$ (9,707)	$ (54,573)
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | CLECO CAJUN | Natural gas derivatives
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Federal and state income tax expense (benefit)			$ (22,200)	$ 44,700
Net gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives			$ (82,400)	$ 165,900