A new investigation into Europe’s online energy debate reveals that misinformation and disinformation targeting wind power have become widespread across social media, raising concerns about the continent’s energy security and democratic stability. Researchers warn that coordinated campaigns spreading false claims about renewable energy could undermine Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The study, conducted by WindEurope and CASM Technology, analysed more than 42,000 social media posts published between May 2024 and February 2026 across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Sweden emerged as the country most heavily targeted by these campaigns despite having one of the cleanest electricity systems in Europe. In 2025, Sweden generated approximately 99 per cent of its electricity from low-carbon sources, with hydropower, nuclear energy, and wind making up the majority of supply. Fossil fuels accounted for only 1.2 per cent of Swedish electricity generation. Yet researchers found that Sweden also produced the highest volume of anti-wind social media content, much of it classified as false or misleading. The report describes this growing wave of anti-wind disinformation as a “systemic risk” capable of slowing renewable energy deployment across Europe.
The analysis found that 68 per cent of the sampled posts contained misinformation or deliberate deception related to wind energy. Researchers separated these narratives into several major themes. One of the most common portrayed wind developers and policymakers as corrupt elites forcing unwanted projects onto local populations for profit. Another category focused on environmental damage, claiming that wind turbines devastate ecosystems and wildlife. Critics frequently argue that turbines are dangerous to birds, but the report cites research showing that more than 99.8 per cent of migratory birds successfully avoid turbines during flight. Despite scientific evidence, these narratives continue spreading widely online through coordinated networks and viral social media engagement. The study warns that anti-wind disinformation is increasingly influencing public attitudes toward renewable energy and climate policy.
Another major theme involved claims that wind energy is economically unreliable or responsible for electricity blackouts. Researchers noted that false accusations linked renewable energy to the large blackout that affected Spain and Portugal in 2025, despite official investigations concluding that wind turbines were not among the root causes. The persistence of these claims demonstrates how difficult it has become for many citizens to distinguish accurate information from misleading narratives online. Surveys across Europe show that large portions of the population now believe renewable energy increases electricity prices, even though the International Energy Agency has repeatedly stated that renewables help reduce long-term power costs. According to the report, anti-wind disinformation is contributing to broader public confusion surrounding energy systems, climate science, and clean technology.
Researchers also warn that the political consequences could become severe. Anti-renewable narratives have already contributed to delayed or cancelled wind projects in several countries. In Bulgaria, false claims spread through Telegram networks helped drive opposition to a major wind development worth more than €1.2 billion. The report argues that anti-wind disinformation not only threatens renewable energy expansion but could also weaken Europe’s energy independence, economic competitiveness, and resilience during periods of geopolitical instability. In extreme cases, researchers warn that hostile narratives portraying renewable infrastructure as illegitimate or dangerous may even encourage vandalism or physical attacks against energy projects and workers.