LAST year saw several significant developments for Swalec in Wales and we're looking forward to continuing this trend in 2005.

We've grown rapidly and now supply 1.2 million homes and businesses with electricity and gas. Consequently, our team based at Cardiff Gate has expanded from 250 to 650 in three years.

The keys to success have been value and quality services but we also place a great emphasis on keeping our employees motivated.

We work as a well-integrated team with extremely high morale and low staff turnover.

Last April, our growth as part of Scottish and Southern Energy was boosted when we joined forces with Atlantic Electric and Gas, a close neighbour in Cardiff.

Last year we also expanded our range of energy-related products, with the introduction of initiatives such as Power2, which offers customers carbon-free hydro electricity, and EasyWarm, a product which allows the over 50s to budget for their energy bills more easily.

But in a highly competitive market we can hardly afford to rest on our laurels. This year we will continue our campaign to help customers to be energy efficient, helping to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

An interesting recent development is the mini wind turbine, produced by a firm partly owned by our parent company.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the world, the mini wind turbine can be mounted on the rooftops of business premises and homes, producing clean electricity and reducing emissions.

In 2005 I'm hoping to continue to develop our business while remaining a responsible corporate citizen.