CASM Technology and WindEurope have warned that dis- and misinformation on wind energy poses a systemic risk to Europe’s security and competitiveness.
WindEurope said false narratives circulating on social media are leading to real-life project delays and cancellations across Europe.
CASM Technology added that anti-wind actors are spreading recurring myths on alleged health, environmental and economic impacts, reaching millions of Europeans.
The report finds that a network of actors produced more than 40,000 posts over one and a half years, generating 6,3 million active engagements and tens of millions of views.
WindEurope noted that the spread of misinformation is slowing the transition to home-grown renewables and contributing to higher electricity prices.
“At a time when Europe is once again confronted with a fossil energy crisis, my message is unmistakable: wind power is not only a climate solution-it is an economic advantage and a pillar of our security,” said Dan Jørgensen, european commissioner for energy and housing.
“We cannot allow disinformation to delay or derail the expansion of renewable energy at the very moment we need to accelerate it to lower costs for our consumers and to strengthen our resilience.”
“A large and well organised ecosystem of actors is actively undermining Europe’s energy discourse,” said Carl Miller, founder of CASM Technology.
“Over the research period of one and a half years, this network produced more than 40,000 posts, generating 6,3 million active engagements and generating tens of millions of views.”
“Wind energy dis- and misinformation are much more than a social media phenomenon,” said Tinne van der Straeten, chief executive of WindEurope.
“Across Europe, wind energy projects worth billions of Euros have been halted or cancelled, often following protests and campaigns underpinned by dis- and misinformation claims.”