Despite some shortcomings, this achievement is impressive, both because of its scope and because Chinese electricity consumers pay their bills, unlike consumers in many other developing countries (IEA, 2002: 374). Another good example is Morocco, which has reached 97 per cent coverage over a comparable time span. Access to modern energy strongly influences and determines living standards (e.g. availability of lighting), access to water and sanitation, agricultural productivity (i.e. through irrigation), health (refrigeration for medicines and vaccines, and power for equipment), gender and education. Its centrality in promoting higher living standards and enhancing productive opportunities means that none of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be met without major improvements in the quality and quantity of energy services in developing countries.