Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Holdings (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 421,192		$ 344,912		$ 182,640
Investing activities
Return on investment in trust-owned life insurance policies	417		41,671		820
Net cash used in investing activities	(227,816)		(193,257)		(300,833)
Financing activities
Payment of financing costs	(375)		(6,968)		(4,408)
Distributions to member	(53,496)		(219,588)		0
Net cash used in financing activities	(128,881)		(111,065)		178,910
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	64,495		40,590		60,717
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	191,572	[1]	150,982		90,265
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	256,067	[1]	191,572	[1]	150,982
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	170,680		131,760		126,061
Income taxes paid, net	2,162		0		72
Parent Company
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,548		180,270		56,054
Investing activities
Return on investment in trust-owned life insurance policies	417		35,175		0
Net cash used in investing activities	417		35,175		0
Financing activities
Draws on revolving credit facilities	100,000		64,000		0
Payments on revolving credit facilities	(54,000)		0		0
Repayments of long-term debt	(65,600)		(67,700)		(66,000)
Payment of financing costs	(272)		(9)		(1,268)
Distributions to member	(53,496)		(219,588)		0
Net cash used in financing activities	(73,368)		(223,297)		(67,268)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents	2,597		(7,852)		(11,214)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,556		10,408		21,622
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	5,153		2,556		10,408
Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized	72,537		59,848		57,688
Income taxes paid, net	$ 2,162		$ 0		$ 0

[1] (1) Includes cash and cash equivalents of $54,541, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $23,549, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $109,415. Also includes cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents in assets held for sale of $4,067. (2) Includes cash and cash equivalents of $122,576, current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $15,818, and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $113,573. Also includes cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents in assets held for sale of $4,100.