Oct 1 (Reuters) - U.S. pipeline operator Williams

Companies ( WMB ) said on Wednesday it plans to invest about

$3.1 billion in two additional power-innovation projects.

The company also said it would raise its 2025 capital

spending plan by $875 million to be between $3.45 billion and

$3.75 billion.

With U.S. power demand rising, utilities are adding

billions to capital plans to upgrade the grid and related

infrastructure.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half

of 2027.