On September the 10th, 1973, by Supreme Decree N° 1042, is enacted the Basic Law of Electrification, recognizing INECEL under Public Law as the Legal Person, with its own assets and economic and administrative autonomy, to carry out the National Electrification Program.

Under the responsibility of INECEL for approximately 25 year, was promoted major Hydroelectric Projects as the Paute Molino Central.

 In the year 1998 was issued the Law of Regime of the Electric Sector, its reforms and Regulations, which eliminated INECEL and split the sector into companies of private law for generation, distribution and transmission, among them HIDROPAUTE S. A.

After 11 years and under the strategy of a gradual transition to a public administration, on January the 13th 2009 were merge the generation companies: ELECTROGUAYAS S. A., HIDROAGOYAN S. A., HIDROPAUTE S. A., TERMOESMERALDAS S.A., TERMOPICHINCHA S.A. and one of transmission TRANSELECTRIC S.A, establishing the CORPORACIÓN ELECTRICA DEL ECUADOR CELEC S.A. on January the 14th, 2010 by Presidential Decree N° 114 and becomes a Public Strategic Company Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador CELEC EP and HIDROPAUTE becomes a Business Unit.

Currently the vision of CELEC EP is, to be the leader public enterprise that guarantees the electric sovereignty and drives the development of Ecuador.