The unique electro-thermal property of temperature self-controlled concrete (TSC) offers significant potential for actively controlling the surface temperature of concrete structures and eliminating cracks induced by large temperature differences. However, devising an active temperature control strategy for TSC is challenging due to the non-uniformity and time-dependent nature of the heat generation process. To address this issue, this paper investigates the electro-thermal performance and active temperature control strategy of TSC. Firstly, a three-factors orthogonal experiment is conducted to optimize the mix proportions based on mechanical properties and electrical resistivity. Subsequently, electro-thermal experiments are performed on the optimized TSC using different power supply strategies under fixed and fluctuating temperature conditions. Furthermore, theoretical formulations for temperature rise and an energy consumption evaluation method are developed to quantify the heating process of TSC. The results demonstrate that the optimized TSC mixture achieves a stable electrical resistivity of 8.2 Ω⋅m at 28 days, with only a 20% increase after 360 days. Moreover, employing a low heating power facilitates a more uniform temperature distribution and reduces the impact of changes in electro-thermal parameters on system safety. Considering safety and stability, strategies to enhance energy utilization and optimize the design and operation of the TSC heating system are proposed. These findings provide valuable guidance for determining appropriate power, current, and voltage for heating systems, as well as recommendations for the safe operation of TSC.