Abengoa claim it is the first thermal solar tower plant in Africa and the first tower plant to achieve 24 hours of operation with solar energy only, but that thanks to the decline in power demand at night, since full power storage lasts only 2 hours.

KSO uses a superheated steam cycle that should be able to reach a maximum operating temperature of 530 °C.

Accumulated saturated steam is also used to provide up to two hours of thermal storage at the plant.

The accident was largely responsible for the project commencing commercial operation fourteen months later than scheduled.

The plant output is sold to grid operator Eskom under a 20-year PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).