Taiwan's top administrative court has thrown out the government's permit for CPC's third LNG terminal in Taoyuan, a win for algal reef campaigners and a setback for the energy project.

• The Supreme Administrative Court ruled the Interior Ministry acted illegally when it approved coastal use of the 95-hectare site.
• The ministry leaned on a review committee's decision instead of checking every legal condition itself, so the approval was quashed.
• Local residents sued to protect the algal reef nearby, arguing land reclamation would wreck it.
• Two green groups were tossed out as improper plaintiffs, and two residents living far from the site were ruled to have no standing.
• The ruling is final after years of appeals and a retrial at the Taipei High Administrative Court.

Outlook: CPC's terminal plan now needs a fresh, legally sound permit, putting new pressure on Taiwan's gas supply timeline.