<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 24

                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ Sherian G. Cadoria
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Sherian G. Cadoria

<PAGE>



                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ Richard B. Crowell
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Richard B. Crowell


<PAGE>


                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.

                                       /s/ J. Patrick Garrett
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       J. Patrick Garrett


<PAGE>


                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ F. Ben James, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       F. Ben James, Jr.


<PAGE>


                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ A. DeLoach Martin, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       A. DeLoach Martin, Jr.


<PAGE>


                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ Robert T. Ratcliff
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Robert T. Ratcliff


<PAGE>



                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.

                                       /s/ Edward M. Simmons
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Edward M. Simmons


<PAGE>


                                CLECO CORPORATION

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Cleco Corporation, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company"), 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
"Act"), an Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the Company's 
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, with any and all amendments thereto as 
may be necessary or appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other 
documents having relation to the Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of a director or 
officer or both a director and officer of the Company, as the case may be, 
does hereby appoint Gregory L. Nesbitt and Michael P. Prudhomme, and each of 
them severally, his true and lawful attorney(s)-in-fact and agent(s) with 
power to act without the other, with full power of substitution and 
resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all 
capacities, the Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and any and all 
instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, to file the same 
with the Commission and to appear before the Commission in connection with 
any matter relating thereto. Each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents shall 
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of 
the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or 
desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and 
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned 
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming the acts that said 
attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, or their or his substitutes or 
substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this power of 
attorney as of the 22 day of January, 1999.


                                       /s/ William H. Walker, Jr.
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       William H. Walker, Jr.