TORONTO — The lack of transmission capability from Lake Huron to the Toronto area is giving Darlington the edge over Kincardine when it comes to selecting a host community for a new nuclear plant.

Energy Minister Gerry Phillips says Hydro One, Ontario's giant transmission utility, is currently seeking approval for a new Bruce-to-Milton line.

Phillips says there are about 1,000 megawatts of wind-power projects planned for southwestern Ontario that are being held up because of the limited transmission capacity.

He says that gives Darlington `a certain advantage' over Kincardine as the two communities compete to host the new nuclear plant.

And that means government-owned Ontario Power Generation has a slight edge over Bruce Power, the private operators of the Bruce nuclear plant, to operate the new station.

Phillips will announce a site location and operator for the new nuclear reactor later this month, and he will choose from three competing companies by the end of this year.