SaskPower is closing walk-in centres in 18 rural communities.

The change takes place over the next few months but officials with the Crown Corporation hope customers won't see too much of a difference in service.

Those behind the decision believe this change will modernize delivery because the number of people who use the walk-in customer centres to pay bills or get other services have been steadily declining over the last few years.

Tyler Hopson with SaskPower explains that the numbers are down "by about 40 per cent."

As an alternative customers affected can access service by calling, going online, pay bills at their bank or SaskTel and SaskEnergy offices where they exist.

There are about one or two staff members in each of the 18 centres and none will lose their jobs. Instead Hopson maintains they will stay on and serve customers in a different way.

"That means more so over the phone and online transactions," he said.

Hopson denies this is an example of the government stripping the crown of the services it offers.

The communities that will see closures are Canora, Carlyle, Estevan, Fort Qu'Appelle, Hudson Bay, Lloydminster, Unity, Kindersley, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Outlook, Shellbrook, Swift Current, Wadena and Wynyard.

The walk-in centres at Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, North Battleford and Yorkton will remain open.

The change comes into affect November 30.