Dec 9 (Reuters) - FirstEnergy FE.N on Tuesday raised its investment plan to $6 billion for 2026, from an estimated $5.5 billion for the current year, as the utility ramps up spending to meet growing electricity demand.

The U.S. power industry has been gearing up for a rapid surge in electricity consumption nationwide, driven by power-hungry data centers needed to support the boom in artificial intelligence usage.

The company expects to spend about $3 billion on its transmission segment next year, marking a 13% increase from the current year, and grid modernization spending is projected at about $1.1 billion, up 18% from last year.

The utility also expects 2026 adjusted earnings between $2.62 and $2.82 per share, the midpoint of which is in-line with analysts' expectations of $2.72 per share.

The annual dividend is planned at $0.465 per share quarterly, totaling to about $1.86 per share.

(Reporting by Pranav Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

((Pranav.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;))