In 1957, the government reorganised the electricity supply industry. The Electricity Act of that year replaced the Central Electricity Authority with two new statutory bodies: the Electricity Council and the Central Electricity Generating Board. The government's aim was to decentralise the industry.

The Electricity Council brought together representatives of the Central Electricity Generating Board, the Area Boards and its own officers to formulate the general policy of the supply industry in England and Wales. The Council reported to the Secretary of State for Energy. Although the Electricity Council was the central umbrella authority of the industry, it did not have statutory powers.

The Council was formally wound up by The Electricity Council (Dissolution) Order 2001.