DP World London Gateway: Leading the UK's Advanced Nuclear Revolution

Published: February 5, 2026

Government Recognizes DP World as Flagship Advanced Nuclear Project

www.gov.uk

Advanced nuclear framework

This Framework is designed to support the development, commercialisation and deployment of private innovative nuclear projects within the UK energy system.

The framework states:

"Last Energy and DP World intend to create one of the world's first micro modular nuclear plants at London Gateway, backed by £80 million in private investment."

This recognition validates a bold vision: to transform London Gateway into the UK's first port powered by clean, reliable, subsidy-free nuclear energy—while pioneering a replicable model for industrial decarbonization across the country.

What is the Advanced Nuclear Framework?

The Advanced Nuclear Framework is the UK Government's comprehensive strategy to enable privately-led Small Modular Reactor (SMR), Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR), and Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) projects. It introduces two game-changing mechanisms:

1. UK Advanced Nuclear Pipeline (Launches March 4, 2026)

A structured government assessment process that provides:

• Statement of Limited, In-Principle Endorsement for credible projects

• Public listing on DESNZ's official Pipeline register

• Access to revenue support mechanisms (CfD-style long-term contracts)

• High Impact, Low Probability (HILP) risk protections (policy change insurance, last-resort insurance backstop)

• Dedicated Advanced Nuclear Business Engagement Unit (concierge service for regulatory navigation)

2. National Wealth Fund Access

£27.8 billion capital pool with a dedicated nuclear team offering:

• Debt, equity, and hybrid investment instruments

• Co-investment alongside private capital to de-risk projects

• Support for both development and construction phases

Why London Gateway? Why Now?

Strategic Drivers

London Gateway is one of the UK's most critical trade infrastructure assets:

• Handles 50%+ of UK deep-sea temperature-controlled imports

• Links cargo to 130+ ports in 65+ countries

• Currently undergoing £1 billion Thames Freeport expansion (two new all-electric berths, second rail terminal)

• Projected to become the UK's busiest container port within 5 years

The Port / Park energy challenge mirrors that of UK industry at large:

• Current all-in electricity cost - 76% of bill is uncontrollable (transmission, distribution, government levies)

• Wholesale markets offer only 1-3 year contracts due to liquidity constraints

• 2027 Russian LNG ban threatens further gas price volatility

SMR's offers a solution: price certainty while supporting net-zero commitments.

The Last Energy PWR-20: Proven Technology, Rapid Deployment

What Makes It Different?

The PWR-20 is a 20 MWe pressurized water reactor (PWR)—the same proven technology used in hundreds of reactors worldwide, scaled to modular microreactor size.

Key Specifications:

• Capacity: 20 MWe electrical output

• Fuel: Low-enriched uranium (<5% U-235) – fully compliant with UK Government requirements

• Capacity Factor: 90%+ (firm baseload, 24/7/365)

• Design Life: 40+ years

• Deployment Model: Factory-fabricated modules, 4-6 month on-site assembly

• Target Operational Date: 2030

Regulatory Milestones Achieved

• June 2025: PDR (Preliminary Design Review) cleared by UK ONR, Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales – first nuclear developer to achieve this milestone in the UK

• February 2025: NSL (Nuclear Site Licence) pathway accepted by ONR

• December 2027 Target: NSL decision (2-3 year pathway vs. 5-7 years for traditional GDA route)

Why This Matters for UK Industry

Long-Term Price Certainty vs. Wholesale Volatility

UK wholesale electricity markets are structurally incapable of providing long-term hedging:

• Current commodity prices (Feb 2026): £70-76/MWh

• But add non-commodity costs: +£238/MWh (transmission, distribution, levies)

• Total all-in cost: ~£>300/MWh

• Contract duration limit: 1-3 years maximum (credit risk, liquidity constraints)

Corporate PPAs (wind/solar) offer longer durations but face challenges:

• Require 100+ MW scale commitments (too large for most industrial sites)

• Intermittent generation (requires backup power or expensive battery storage)

• Pricing opacity (limited market comparables)

• Typically only 2.5-5% of GB power trading (still novel in UK)

SMR advantages:

• Right-sized: 20 MWe matches London Gateway demand

• Firm baseload: 90%+ capacity factor (no intermittency risk)

• 20+ year duration: Impossible to replicate via wholesale markets

• Transparent and fixed pricing

Decarbonization + Energy Security + Competitive Advantage

Environmental Impact

• Zero carbon electricity: Displaces 15,000+ tonnes CO₂ annually (vs. grid average)

• Supports DP World's net-zero commitments across global portfolio

• Enables tenant decarbonization: Fixed-price clean power for logistics tenants

Energy Security

• On-site generation: Reduces grid dependency and transmission losses

• Resilience: 90%+ capacity factor vs. grid outage risk

• Hedges geopolitical risk: Insulates from Russian LNG ban (2027) and future gas price shocks

Tenant Attraction & Retention

• ESG leadership: First UK port powered by nuclear energy

• Cost certainty: Enables long-term lease rate predictability for tenants

• Competitive differentiation: Positions London Gateway as premium logistics destination

A Replicable Model for UK Ports & Industrial Sites

London Gateway is a multi-site strategy. Last Energy's modular deployment model is designed for fleet scaling—each subsequent reactor benefits from:

• Learning curve cost reductions (target: 20-30% FOAK to NOAK)

• Supply chain maturation (UK manufacturing ramp-up)

• Regulatory precedent (NSL pathway established)

• Financing efficiency (proven project execution, lower risk premiums)

DP World's global footprint (70+ marine and inland terminals across 6 continents) positions DPW as an ideal anchor offtaker for fleet deployment across UK ports

• Southampton, Felixstowe (if partnership opportunities arise)

• Global terminals (Middle East, Asia-Pacific) where energy security is critical

This Journey

The Advanced Nuclear Framework signals a new era for UK energy—one where private capital, industrial innovation, and government policy align to deliver subsidy-free, clean, firm power at scale.

About DP World London Gateway

London Gateway is the UK's newest deep-sea container port and Europe's largest logistics park, strategically located on the Thames, just 25 miles from central London. With 2,700 acres of development land and 2,700 metres of deepwater quay, London Gateway combines port operations with cutting-edge logistics facilities to serve the UK's growing trade demands.