Cleco isn’t resting on 90 years of service as utility undergoing significant upgrades in its 90 years of service, Cleco Power has proven its status among the most reliable energy providers in Louisiana.
Cleco is the only energy utility to meet or exceed Louisiana Public Service Commission reliability standards for each of the last 26 years.
Serving 295,000 customers throughout a 24-parish area that includes large swaths of central, southwest and southeast Louisiana, Cleco’s impact is felt statewide.
What started as Louisiana Ice and Electric in 1935 is rapidly shifting to a modern energy utility as Cleco announced a five-year resiliency plan to harden grid infrastructure.
The 550 planned projects include undergrounding certain segments of the system for increased reliability, reinforcing utility poles, and elevating substations above flood plains.
“The grid resiliency investments will reduce outages and lead to faster restoration times,” said Andre Guillory, chief customer officer for Cleco, in a November news release. “Additionally, a portion of the projects are focused on critical customers, like hospitals and emergency services. This work will enhance and protect vulnerable communities, first responders and critical services which are essential during storms or times of crisis.”
In addition to the resiliency plan, Cleco is in the second year of a six-year process to nearly double the clearing of hazardous vegetation to reduce the occurrence and duration of power outages.
The efforts will further strengthen energy resilience and reduce storm-related costs that will lead to fewer outages and faster restoration times.
Cleco, headquartered in Pineville, estimates this will result in more than $400 million in value for customers.
This type of commitment to energy reliability is why the lights stayed on for 99.9 % of the time this past year.
Cleco isn’t just relying on Louisiana’s traditional sources of power generation.
The utility has been adding renewable and clean energy projects to its portfolio.
The latest is the Dolet Hills Solar Project in DeSoto Parish, a 240-megawatt energy generation facility that is expected to power 50,000 Louisiana homes with an expected completion date in 2027.
There are also major projects like carbon capture and sequestration aimed at reducing emissions and modernizing infrastructure at its eight power generation sites.
Cleco also encourages customers to use energy more efficiently through its Power Wise program.
The energy efficiency initiative has helped more than 100,000 customers reduce energy consumption since its inception in 2014.
Through energy-efficient offerings like home weatherization, lighting upgrades, HVAC change-outs and commercial kitchen equipment rebates, Cleco is ensuring that the power it generates goes further.
As a proud member of the Louisiana community for 90 years, Cleco is a key community partner.
Six hundred organizations received corporate donations this past year as Cleco strives to support STEM programs, education, youth programs, and health and wellness initiatives, particularly for low-income families.
Cleco’s 1,200 employees statewide volunteered more than 5,000 hours in 2025.
Cleco is making sure that Louisiana families have sustainable and affordable power for generations to come.