Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity investment in investee	$ 1,916	$ 1,992
CLECO POWER
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity investment in investee	$ 1,916	$ 1,992
CLECO POWER | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary - Oxbow
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by Cleco Power	50.00%
SWEPCO | VIE, Not Primary Beneficiary - Oxbow
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by other parties	50.00%