The Norwegian Government has proposed the sites in the Utsira Nord lease area to be allocated based on qualitative criteria, rather than through an auction. The area is one of the two Norway will soon offer to developers and has been deemed most suitable for floating wind technology.

The qualitative criteria entail facilitating innovation and technology development, which differs from the allocation model to be employed for the other area, Sørlige Nordsjø II, whose sites will be awarded through an auction.