By their nature fossil fuels will inevitably run out. Renewable energies will therefore become one of the world's main energy sources in the new millennium. Developing a thriving renewables industry in the UK therefore represents a real opportunity for UK plc. It provides a three term "win-win-win" equation: encouraging the development of new technologies; creating new jobs; and tackling global environmental challenges.

"Renewable" energy is the term used to describe those energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment, eg from the sun, the wind and the oceans, and from plants and the fall of water. It also refers to the energy available from wastes and to the emerging clean technology of fuel cells.

Renewable sources of energy make an important contribution to secure, sustainable and diverse energy supplies and are an essential element of a cost-effective climate change programme. The Government is proposing that 5% of UK electricity needs should be met from renewables by the end of 2003 and 10% by 2010, as long as the cost to consumers is acceptable. These targets are intended to act as a stimulus to industry and provide milestones for progress monitoring.

"Whilst this is an ambitious target, it is not an end in itself. I do not want to see renewables stop at 10%. I want to see a strong, world-beating industry develop in the UK. I also expect renewables not only to generate power but also to provide heat and transport for our homes, industry and commerce in centuries to come."