Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson will launch a consultation document seeking views from industry, pressure groups and members of the public on which forms of energy should be promoted.
The UK's energy supply has taken on a renewed sense of urgency after recent rises in gas prices and the country's increasing reliance on gas from overseas. Fears have also been expressed over the security of energy supplies forcing the Government to deny worries of power blackouts this winter.
Industry has been pressing the Government to speed up decisions on building new nuclear power stations warning that the country's competitiveness will be threatened if energy becomes more expensive and less reliable.
But green campaigners argue a new generation of nuclear power plants will not be needed because of sustainable alternatives available.
Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth said: "UK energy policy is at a crossroads.
"We can tackle climate change and meet our energy needs by cutting waste, harnessing the power of renewables and using fossil fuels more efficiently.
"The Government must set us on the path to a clean, safe and sustainable future and turn its back once and for all on the failed, dangerous and expensive experiment of nuclear power."
But the Engineering Employers' Federation, which represents thousands of companies, urged the
Government to move as quickly as possible to set
out a balanced, long-term energy strategy including
all options, including nuclear.
Director General Martin Temple said: "Energy is now right at the top of the agenda and there is no time to lose in putting in place a long-term strategy that will provide a competitive, reliable and secure supply and generate significant reductions in emissions.
"Failure to do so will mean relying on renewables and energy efficiency to come to our aid which is unlikely to deliver on any of these fronts."
The Green Alliance, an environmental think-tank, said the Government should focus on renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power as well as increasing energy efficiency.
The Energy Saving Trust said there was a pressing need to address the "escalating demand for energy" while doing more to reach the 2010 target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent which the UK is not on track to meet.