In brief

• The CBA detained 25 people on 4 November in an investigation into alleged damage to Elektrownia Ostrołęka, Enea and Energa.
• Investigators estimate the losses from 2018–2019 at more than 1 billion zloty.
• Searches were carried out at close to 30 locations in 11 voivodeships, and further detentions are expected.

Detentions across 11 provinces

The Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), acting on the orders of prosecutors, detained 25 people on the morning of 4 November, according to Tomasz Siemoniak, the minister-coordinator of special services (Nieoficjalnie: przeszukania w mieszkaniach polityków PiS w sprawie elektrowni Ostrołęka – Onet) ("Machina ruszyła". Minister ogłasza, trwa wielka akcja CBA – Interia Wydarzenia). Officers entered close to 30 apartments and premises in 11 voivodeships at 6 a.m., and searches and the securing of evidence were still under way later in the day (Miliardowe straty przy budowie elektrowni w Ostrołęce. CBA zatrzymało 25 osób – energetyka24.com).

Those detained are mostly former and current managers and board members of several companies, including former employees of Enea and Energa and of Elektrownia Ostrołęka itself (Akcja CBA. Media: zatrzymany m.in. prezes polskiego oddziału Westinghouse – Money.pl). Their work is linked to the construction of block C of the plant.

Alleged damage in 2018–2019

The probe covers 2018 and 2019 and concerns alleged damage to Elektrownia Ostrołęka, Enea and Energa, caused by board and supervisory board members failing to fulfil their duties. Investigators estimate the damage at more than 1 billion zloty.

Reports also said that politicians from Law and Justice (PiS) had their homes searched, though this has not been officially confirmed.

What comes next

Siemoniak said the first wave involves people who are "perhaps not from the front pages" and that further detentions are expected (Gigantyczna akcja CBA. 25 osób zatrzymanych ws. elektrowni Ostrołęka – RMF24). He described the case as a very large investigation that also covers local government officials and linked companies (CBA zatrzymało 25 osób w sprawie elektrowni Ostrołęka – wiadomosci.gazeta.pl).

Background

The block C project was meant to be the last large coal-fired plant in Poland. In early 2020 Energa and Enea halted its financing. In August 2025 the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) criticised the management's handling of the withdrawal from the project.