Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Holdings (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ (15,227)	$ 188,811	$ 194,966
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain , net of tax (benefit) expense	(5,171)	23,688	2,167
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(5,171)	23,688	2,167
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(20,398)	212,499	197,133
Tax (expense) benefit of postretirement benefits gain (loss)	1,905	(8,728)	(394)
Parent Company
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	(15,227)	188,811	194,966
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Postretirement benefits (loss) gain , net of tax (benefit) expense	(5,171)	23,688	2,167
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(5,171)	23,688	2,167
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(20,398)	212,499	197,133
Tax (expense) benefit of postretirement benefits gain (loss)	$ 1,905	$ (8,728)	$ (394)