transalta corp on thursday reported for the fourth quarter a widened loss as depreciation and amortization costs rose but also revenue growth that beat expectations of a decline the calgary albertabased electricity power generator reported a loss of 163 million canadian dollars us1203 million or a loss of c061 a share compared with a loss of c78 million or a loss of c029 a share a year ago transalta blamed the widened loss on higher depreciation and amortization expenses on certain facilities in its gas segment as well as higher operating maintenance and administrative expenses in the period stripping out certain costs adjusted earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization rose by c298 million or more than double to c541 million revenue rose to c854 million from c610 million according to three analysts polled on factset revenue was expected to slide to c5586 million transalta generated free cash flow of c315 million up from c79 million a year ago benefiting from stronger quarterly energy production energy production rose to 6005 gigawatthours from 5823 gigawatthours last year