The French utility, which owns the most UK power generation capacity of any company after the big six, took a profit hit in 2013.
The group reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of €13.4 billion, down 8.1 per cent on 2012. Net recurring income totalled €3.4 billion.
The company expanded mainly into emerging markets. In the UK, it bought a 25 per cent stake of 13 shale gas exploration licences from Dart Energy.
Chairman and chief executive officer Gérard Mestrallet said the results were “strong… in a very difficult environment for thermal power and gas storage in Europe”.
In 2014, the company is aiming for net recurring income of between €3.3 billion and €3.7 billion. It expects to make net capital expenditure of €6 billion to €8 billion.
The strategy, said Mestrallet, is to be “the benchmark energy player in fast growing markets and to be leader in the energy transition in Europe”.