The University for Development Studies (UDS) is the first public University in northern Ghana. It was formed by the Government of Ghana by PNDC Law 279 and published in the Gazette on 15th May 1992. Under its mandate and constituency, the University has a pro-poor orientation, evident in its teaching, research and outreach service methodologies. The emphasis on practical, research-based, and field-based education is intended to contribute to poverty reduction and expedite national development. The University operates a multiple campus system: Tamale Campus, Tamale City Campus, Nyankpala, and two (2) other proposed Campuses at Gbanyemni and Yendi, all in the northern region.

The School of Engineering is located on the Nyankpala Campus. It was established in 2016 with three academic departments and one Centre (Energy Technology Centre, ETC). The Energy Technology Centre envisages contributing to various stakeholders' research, policy development, and capacity building in the energy sub-sector. Its emphasis is on the sustainable utilization of renewable energy (RE) technologies in northern Ghana and the country. The Centre aspires to be a forerunner in promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy resources in Northern Ghana in line with the SDGs. It has a practical organizational framework for collaborating with development partners. The Centre has organized and coordinated practical-oriented training in energy policy, renewable and energy management, and conservation in the recent past.

The Centre's core team includes the Dean and Head of Departments of the School of Engineering and some co-opted university staff with relevant expertise. A staff manages the Centre with the requisite academic background in RE and energy conversion systems. The Centre is supported by administrative staff with professional services such as accounting and auditing provided by the School of Engineering in line with the University's rules and regulations.

The Centre, since its establishment, has been at the forefront in promoting RE utilization, energy efficiency strategies, a student energy ambassador programme, etc., in the University and the region. The Centre assists students in researching energy-related projects, organizes monthly webinars to sensitize the public on energy conservation strategies, and provides energy-related consultancy services. 

Considering the technical human expertise deficit in the country and sub-region, the Centre is looking for opportunities to develop a platform to train and develop local human capacities in energy and waste management-related technologies. The training of MPhil, MSc, and Ph.D. students in these fields would contribute significantly to national development and hence the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Ghana is in need of these experts to address its electricity availability challenges to accelerate national development while checking climate change for sustainable development.