Very high electrical conductivity of ∼0.021 S/cm at 600 °C is obtained in Ce0.79Gd0.20Co0.01O2-δ. Corresponding activation energy of conduction ∼0.43 eV measured in the temperature range of 400-700 °C is found to be notably low. Improved electrical properties with 99% of the theoretical density as obtained for these specimens, prepared using powder of average particle size ∼20 nm and subsequent sintering at 1100 °C, is considered to be a significant step to reduce the processing temperature. The measured electrical potential of ∼1 V indicates the suitability of its use as an electrolyte in electrochemical devices. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.