Antinuclear

* Proposes to get 52 pct of power from renewables in 2020

* Aims for entire energy supply from renewables in 2050

* Minister says investment in green energy can pay off

By Mette Fraende COPENHAGEN, Nov 25 (Reuters) – Danish government proposals on Friday called for sourcing just over half of its electricity from wind turbines by 2020 and all of its energy from renewable sources in 2050.

The government also invited the parties in parliament to negotiations on the proposal to shape energy policy to 2020.

Denmark will take over the presidency of the European Union for six months from January 1 and aims to promote ambitious climate and energy goals for Europe.

It is already the world leader in wind power, getting a fifth of its power from wind turbines.

“This is an historical effort to become even better at saving energy and create an even more competitive and energy-effective company culture in Denmark, also for households,” Minister for Climate, Energy and Building Martin Lidegaard said…..

Lidegaard told foreign journalists the plan to phase out fossil fuels amounted to buying an insurance policy “against the risk of the market in the next 10 years”.

“The conclusion being it has a cost to make a green transformation, but it also has a cost not to do it,” Lidegaard said. “I think this will work out to be the best insurance Denmark has ever (bought).”….

The initiatives would cut Denmark’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020 based on 1990 levels.

Lidegaard said that Denmark faced three global crises which will hit it “with a force that is so far absolutely unheard of” — an economic and financial crisis, a climate crisis and a resources crisis. “This proposal will address all three crises.”

The push for renewable energy would position Denmark as a leader in developing climate-friendly technology, he said….

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7MP17G20111125