Populus wins contract to track smart meter opinion

SMCDB is an independent organisation established to help people understand and engage with new smart meter technologies ahead of a nationwide rollout. Around 50 million new gas and electricity smart meters will be installed in homes across Great Britain between now and 2020.

The research work, secured following a competitive pitch, will be carried out by Populus’s Market Insight practice led by managing director Gary Muncaster.

Populus will conduct four 10,000-sample national opinion polls throughout 2014-15 to help the SMCDB measure public perceptions and opinions of smart meters throughout the rollout period.

SMCDB chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said: “Understanding what consumers think and knowing how to respond to their concerns is absolutely crucial to the work of the SMCDB.”