Polish heat‑pump and wind‑farm industry reports a surge of Russian‑backed misinformation campaigns, prompting government efforts that may unintentionally worsen the problem.
Industry Voices Concern
Paweł Lachman, president of PORT PC, says the heat‑pump sector has seen over 80 % customer satisfaction, yet online narratives give the impression of widespread regret. He warns that the broader problem extends beyond heat pumps to include wind turbines, electric cars and climate policy.
Misinformation Campaigns Target Heat Pumps
Lachman cites a flood of fake articles on the legal‑firm blog legaartis.pl, whose posts contain AI‑generated headlines warning of high costs, failures or heat‑pump bans. Reports from “Press” and the fact‑checking site Demagog note that the portal disseminates “anti‑Ukrainian propaganda” and pro‑Kremlin content.
Wind Turbines in the Crosshairs
Industry leaders, such as Janusz Gajowiecki of the Polish Wind Energy Association, report intense Russian‑driven attacks on Poland’s wind‑farm projects. False claims claim soil degradation, mass bird kills, and health hazards; scientific studies counter that turbines are safe for human and environmental health.
Government Response and Limitations
Polish ministers Ursula Zielińska and the new Energy Minister have launched campaigns to counter misinformation, including a joint effort with the wind‑energy association. Yet industry witnesses the government sometimes perpetuating misinformation—for example, suggesting heat pumps are only viable in fully retrofitted buildings.
Russian Roots of the Disinformation
Experts note that Russian agencies test narratives on domestic networks using AI‑generated content before exporting them, leveraging bots to amplify reach. Analyses by Warsaw University researchers identify a sharp rise in large‑scale online misinformation over the last few years.