The energy transition is significantly impacting ZE PAK, one of the key companies controlled by the Solorz family. During the first half of 2026, the company restructured its workforce, resulting in the loss of over 500 jobs.
The Pątnów-Adamów-Konin Power Plant Group (ZA PAK) has historically relied on lignite coal for electricity production in the Konin region. Currently, the company is implementing a strategic shift towards green energy, focusing on phasing out coal-fired units and investing in solar, wind energy, and clean hydrogen projects.
Significant Reduction in Workforce
As of June 2026, ZE PAK employed 1,492 individuals, representing a decline of 25% from six months prior. Over a longer period, the employment figures reveal a more drastic reduction. At the end of 2023, the workforce stood at 2,617, which decreased to 2,412 in the following year and further dropped to 1,996 by the end of 2025. This indicates a loss of 1,125 jobs, approximately 43%, within just two and a half years.
This substantial workforce reduction is not merely a cost-saving measure; it is primarily a response to the company’s evolution from decades of lignite mining and conventional energy production.
Job Losses Concentrated in Mining Sector
The mining division has experienced the steepest job losses, with 457 positions cut in the first half of the year. In ZE PAK itself, the workforce decreased by 32 employees, while a company providing renovation and construction services saw a reduction of 15 workers. These changes are driven by the depletion of resources at the last operating open pit mine, Tomisławice, along with the company’s shift away from lignite-based energy generation. The decline in mining operations has led to a reduced demand for workers in mining, transportation, and technical support services. Additionally, fewer personnel are needed to operate energy units that no longer produce electricity continuously. Currently, power plants are functioning intermittently, and Block 9 at the Pątnów Power Plant is set to provide capacity market services by 2027.
Severance Packages and Transition Programs
The restructuring process includes provisions for departing employees. Of the 504 individuals affected in the first half of the year, 307 took advantage of one-time severance payments under social protection laws. By the end of June, another 210 workers were on mining or energy leave, allowing qualified individuals to leave the company up to four years before reaching retirement age.
To soften the impact of these changes, the “Path to Employment After Coal” program has been implemented, benefiting 1,503 individuals by the end of the second quarter of 2026. Participants receive assistance in securing new employment or starting their own businesses.
The scale of job reductions illustrates that transitioning from coal to new energy sources involves more than merely replacing jobs; it represents a fundamental shift in the operational profile for the Solorz family-controlled group and poses significant challenges for the local job market.
