Fair Value Accounting, Commodity Contracts (Details) $ in Thousands, MWh in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) MWh MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) MWh MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
Commodity-related contracts, net	$ 7,398	$ 9,949
FTRs [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) on FTRs recognized in income	23,085	28,068	$ 224
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Energy risk management assets
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
FTRs in Energy risk management assets	7,673	10,776
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Energy risk management liabilities
FTRs, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract]
FTRs in Energy risk management liabilities	275	827
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Electric operations
FTRs [Abstract]
Gain on FTRs recognized in income	50,594	74,454	243
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Power purchased for utility customers
FTRs [Abstract]
Loss on FTRs recognized in income	$ (27,509)	$ (46,386)	(19)
Cleco Power [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Number of FTRs Held (MWh) | MWh	8.4	8.9
Cleco Power [Member] | Energy Related Derivative [Member]
FTRs [Abstract]
Number of open natural gas positions | MMBTU	0	0
Price Risk Derivative [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Energy risk management assets
FTRs [Abstract]
Unrealized (Loss) Gain On FTRs reported in Accumulated deferred fuel	$ (1,500)	$ (2,700)	$ 8,600