Weihong Kang

Chinese battery-industry and procurement executive based in Europe, bringing 25+ years of international commercial experience and a rare combination of direct access to China's leading BESS manufacturers, senior European energy-market experience and buyer-side procurement expertise.

Former

President of Gotion High-Tech's EMEA region, with established working relationships across China's battery, BESS, PCS, EMS and BMS supplier ecosystem. Able to immediately activate a trusted Chinese supplier network, assess product quality, after-sales capability and underlying cost structures, and connect European project requirements with the right manufacturing and technology partners.

Founder - Darshan Platform - Europe, China and North Africa

(2024-01)

• Built a ready-to-activate cross-border BESS supplier ecosystem connecting leading Chinese battery manufacturers, system integrators, PCS/EMS/BMS technology suppliers and EPC partners with European energy opportunities.
• Maintain direct working relationships with senior decision-makers at Chinese manufacturers and assess suppliers against product quality, technology strengths, manufacturing capacity, after-sales capability and delivery reliability.
• Provide commercially relevant insight into battery-cell manufacturing, raw-material inputs, supplier cost structures, pricing dynamics and competitive positioning to support informed sourcing and negotiations.
• Support supplier identification, qualification, tender preparation and cross-functional technical, commercial and legal coordination for utility-scale BESS projects involving European energy stakeholders.

President, EMEA Region - Gotion High-Tech - EMEA Region

(2014-01 - 2023-12)

• Established and led European and African operations for a leading Chinese battery OEM, combining direct insight into China's manufacturing ecosystem with senior commercial relationships across European energy markets.
• Led or supported complex battery and BESS procurement and tender processes involving EDF, ACWA Power, TAQA, Amarenco, Voltalia and MASEN, alongside automotive programs with Renault and Stellantis.
• Managed RFI/RFP responses, supplier and technical qualification, commercial proposals, pricing strategies, negotiation of supply terms and contractual risk-allocation discussions.
• Developed firsthand knowledge of Chinese battery OEM cost structures, cell manufacturing, raw-material cost drivers, quality grades, pricing methodologies and procurement evaluation criteria used by major energy buyers.
• Contributed to the nomination of five strategic EV battery programs and two major BESS projects across Europe and Africa, working with commercial, technical, industrial and investment stakeholders.
• Developed localized battery supply-chain and industrial partnership strategies to strengthen supply security, cost competitiveness and delivery resilience across Europe and North Africa.
• Led negotiations with the Moroccan government on a strategic battery manufacturing project, covering land access, industrial incentives, regulatory approvals and long-term industrial cooperation.

Director | Asia Executive Committee Member - Veolia China - China

(2008-01 - 2012-12)

• Negotiated joint ventures, operating contracts, management agreements and long-term commercial frameworks for major transport and infrastructure initiatives.
• Managed negotiations covering pricing mechanisms, service obligations, performance commitments, governance and commercial risk allocation.
• Coordinated senior commercial, financial, operational and government stakeholders across complex international infrastructure projects.

Director | Infrastructure Partnerships & Contracts - Veolia China - China

(2003-01 - 2007-12)

• Structured and negotiated public-private partnerships, concession agreements and long-term infrastructure operating contracts with municipal authorities and investment partners.
• Negotiated investment obligations, tariff mechanisms, operational responsibilities, governance arrangements and risk-sharing frameworks.

Purchasing Manager | Strategic Energy & Industrial Procurement - BASF China - China

Earlier Career

• Managed strategic procurement activities for energy commodities and industrial feedstocks, including long-term fuel-oil and natural-gas supply agreements.
• Negotiated with major suppliers including Sinopec, Jinglin Refinery, Shell and PetroChina on commercial terms, pricing formulas, supplier performance and security of supply.
• Contributed to supplier qualification, strategic sourcing decisions, cost analysis, procurement governance and contractual risk management across multi-year supply arrangements.

EMBA - Executive Education - Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

Postgraduate - Management Science & Engineering; Law - Unknown

Training Program - Battery Manufacturing Technologies - Gotion High-Tech (2014-01)