The 2006 Wind Energy Guidelines (DoEHLG) for Ireland offer advice to planning authorities on planning for wind energy through the development plan process and in determining applications for planning permission. While an update to these guidelines is anticipated, the 2006 guidance currently forms the sole guide for planning for wind energy development in Ireland. The guidelines set out a step-by-step approach for the identification of key areas where there are good wind energy resources capable of exploitation in a manner consistent with proper planning and sustainable development. This ordered approach involves a sieve mapping analysis of the key environmental, landscape, technical and economic criteria which must be balanced in order to identify the most suitable location for wind energy development.