The Polish energy sector is facing a dual threat: massive cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and a growing wave of disinformation and fraud aimed directly at consumers. This multi-layered offensive is designed not only to cause financial losses but also to erode public trust and pose real threats to human lives and the continuity of supply. Polish media have been closely following this issue – data from the Institute of Media Monitoring (IMM) show that from 2022 to 2025, nearly 70,000 publications on this topic were recorded, generating a reach of 1.19 billion message impressions.
Civilians as the Direct Target of Disinformation
The scale of the problem is vast and directly affects Polish society. Research conducted by the Polish Association of Professional Heat and Power Plants (currently the Polish Association of District Heating – PTEC) indicates that one in five energy-related messages appearing online may be disinformation. According to PTEC, as many as 70% of Poles have encountered false information concerning the energy sector. Among professionals, 63.6% of representatives from the heating and energy sectors report encountering disinformation or fake news. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Ministry of Digital Affairs recorded 5 million recipients of false information in this area.
In the media space, the most popular channels for distributing such harmful content are Facebook and X (Twitter). Often these are coordinated actions involving the simultaneous posting of similar content. The narratives usually originate from accounts affiliated with right-wing and anti-EU circles.
The sources of propaganda and disinformation related to energy are not only fringe groups but also politicians from various parties, government representatives, MPs, and MEPs – manipulative and propagandist narratives often originate in their statements.
Beyond disinformation and phishing, the energy sector is also the target of advanced cyberattacks. A report by consulting firm EY shows an alarming and sharp rise in cybersecurity incidents – in 2023, the number of such incidents doubled year-over-year.
Russian Propaganda and Attacks on Strategic Investments
Russian disinformation remains one of the most serious threats to Poland’s energy debate. Between 2022 and 2024, Russia-linked propaganda was responsible for the majority of posts related to energy and climate, shaping the narrative on social media through emotion, fear, and conspiracy theories. According to PAP, Russian sources generated approximately 34 million posts in just the first quarter of 2024, aimed at influencing public opinion and undermining confidence in the energy transition.
One particularly vulnerable area for manipulation is nuclear energy. Key disinformation narratives around this topic are detailed in a report by NASK and the Polish Association for National Security[1]. Equally intense disinformation campaigns target the energy transition and climate policy. According to analyses by Demagog, a prevailing myth online is that high energy prices are caused by renewable energy sources.
Main disinformation tactics include ideologizing the topic of climate protection, emotional and negative portrayals of climate change, and ridiculing environmental activists. Other effective methods involve criticizing scientists, questioning scientific conclusions, presenting politicians as climate experts, mocking qualified professionals, and spreading conspiracy theories and data manipulations.
The Consequences of Disinformation
Disinformation in the energy sector is no longer just a reputational issue; it poses a real threat to national security and the success of the energy transition. False narratives influence political decision-making, shape public opinion, and can significantly slow down investment processes. As Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka emphasizes, “disinformation undermines Poland’s energy security and hampers the investment process.” Online messages are used to derail modernization efforts, divide society, and erode trust in public institutions.
This phenomenon harms not only economic stability but also the ability of citizens to make informed decisions. Fake content replaces reliable data with emotional manipulation, creating an image of chaos and loss of control.
“Constant monitoring of the information space that enables early detection of distorted or propagandist content is indispensable in today’s world,” says Monika Ezman, head of the Analysis Department at IMM. “In the current realities, where media messaging influences social moods and political and economic decisions, access to reliable data is becoming a strategic asset. Only by basing public communication on facts—not emotions—can we strengthen public trust and stability amid geopolitical tensions and the energy transition.”
Consumers are also directly impacted – phishing scams generate financial losses in the hundreds of thousands of złotys per victim. Notable examples include high-profile phishing campaigns in 2025 in which cybercriminals impersonated leading Polish energy companies. In September, PGE warned customers of fake messages about alleged overpayments. A few months earlier, CERT Polska uncovered a similar attack aimed at Tauron Polska Energia customers. Both campaigns shared the same goal – to exploit the trust in reputable brands to steal personal data and money.
Combating Disinformation
In response to these challenges, public authorities have launched several educational and preventive initiatives. In October 2025, the Ministry of Energy launched the campaign “Don’t Be Fooled – Check the Facts About Energy!”, aiming to debunk popular myths and strengthen public awareness. Simultaneously, the Polish Association of Professional Heat and Power Plants has been running the “Energia NaPrawdę” (“Energy for Real”) campaign since 2023, promoting accurate knowledge and countering online manipulation. The National Research Institute NASK also plays a key role in monitoring and identifying disinformation campaigns online. In 2023, NASK published a report on the disinformation potential surrounding the construction of Poland’s nuclear power plant.
Media on Disinformation in the Energy Sector
Between 2022 and 2025, the topic of disinformation in the energy sector was widely covered in the media. IMM analysis found 69,900 publications that generated a total of 1.19 billion message impressions. This means that an average person aged 15 or older could have encountered these messages about 37 times. In 2025 alone, there were 27,500 reports on the topic – more than double the number in 2024. Most of the content appeared in general news media (12,500 articles) and specialist outlets (over 1,000). On social media platforms, the topic was most widely discussed on X (Twitter).
Among media outlets, the topic was most frequently addressed by Euractiv, TVP Info, Radio TOK FM, Polish Radio 24, and Onet. On social media, figures such as Paweł Lachman and the official profile of the Ministry of Energy were among the most active in discussing the issue.
Methodology:
The analysis covered publications from 4,475 unique sources concerning disinformation related to the energy sector (in print, online news portals, radio and TV, and social media) between 2022 and 2025. It was based on monitoring 1,700 press titles, 21,000 news portals, 350 radio and TV stations, and leading social media platforms.
