NRG Energy said on Monday it would acquire power generation assets from energy infrastructure investment firm LS Power in a deal valued at $12 billion, as the U.S. utility bets on surging electricity demand,

NRG Energy announced Monday plans to acquire 18 natural gas plants across nine states—including Texas—in a move aimed at powering the state’s rapidly rising energy demand. The $12 billion deal will double the company's power generation capacity,

NRG Energy agreed to acquire LS Power’s portfolio of natural-gas power plants in a deal valued at roughly $12 billion, including debt, that would expand its footprint in Texas and along the East Coast.