Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Cleco Securitization I Financial Statement Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 15,818	$ 23,549
Total assets	8,100,393	8,253,749	$ 8,125,018
Long-term debt due within one year	256,811	340,867
Interest accrued	22,209	25,540
Long-term debt, net	3,141,924	3,139,094
Total liabilities	5,227,220	5,306,682
Member’s equity	2,873,173	2,947,067	2,954,156	$ 2,757,023
Total liabilities and member’s equity	8,100,393	8,253,749
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue	1,238,791	1,604,480	1,226,324
Operating expenses	(1,179,323)	(1,205,091)	(934,321)
Interest income	5,393	5,250	3,297
Interest charges, net	(165,529)	(145,773)	(131,512)
Income before taxes	(94,942)	253,183	161,346
Securitization
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible asset - securitization	398,658	413,123
Affiliate
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - affiliate	24,216	14,613
Accounts payable - affiliate	10,683	13,092
Cleco Power
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	15,818	23,549
Total assets	5,429,542	5,344,173
Long-term debt due within one year	190,314	110,344
Interest accrued	11,752	15,276
Long-term debt, net	1,697,152	1,786,447
Member’s equity	2,063,237	2,022,912	1,948,537	$ 1,807,879
Total liabilities and member’s equity	5,429,542	5,344,173
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue	1,257,145	1,620,528	1,241,637
Operating expenses	(1,036,281)	(1,361,491)	(1,037,450)
Interest income	5,011	5,082	3,294
Interest charges, net	(99,552)	(90,035)	(75,804)
Income before taxes	132,715	172,560	$ 124,735
Cleco Power | Securitization
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible asset - securitization	398,658	413,123
Cleco Power | Affiliate
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - affiliate	4,543	3,771
Accounts payable - affiliate	13,200	12,448
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	15,818	14,139
Total assets	417,968	430,610
Long-term debt due within one year	14,499	9,574
Interest accrued	6,191	9,953
Long-term debt, net	394,944	408,741
Total liabilities	415,810	428,433
Member’s equity	2,158	2,177
Total liabilities and member’s equity	417,968	430,610
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue	33,913	13,181
Operating expenses	(14,884)	(2,992)
Interest income	537	63
Interest charges, net	(19,467)	(10,200)
Income before taxes	99	52
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Securitization
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible asset - securitization	398,658	413,123
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Affiliate
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - affiliate	3,492	3,348
Accounts payable - affiliate	176	165
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Cleco Power
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	15,818	14,139
Total assets	417,968	430,610
Long-term debt due within one year	14,499	9,574
Interest accrued	6,191	9,953
Long-term debt, net	394,944	408,741
Total liabilities	415,810	428,433
Member’s equity	2,158	2,177
Total liabilities and member’s equity	417,968	430,610
Income Statement Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Operating revenue	33,913	13,181
Operating expenses	(14,884)	(2,992)
Interest income	537	63
Interest charges, net	(19,467)	(10,200)
Income before taxes	99	52
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Cleco Power | Securitization
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Intangible asset - securitization	398,658	413,123
VIE, Primary Beneficiary - Cleco Securitization I | Cleco Power | Affiliate
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable - affiliate	3,492	3,348
Accounts payable - affiliate	$ 176	$ 165