XINING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Electric heating now covers Madoi County in northwest China's Qinghai Province, local authorities said Monday.

Located at the source of Yellow River, Madoi County has an average elevation above 4,500 meters. The heating period in Madoi lasts for 11 months every year.

People living in the urban areas used to burn coal, while herdsmen used to burn cow and sheep dung for heating, said Zhang Qiang, deputy county head.

"At high altitude, coal cannot burn efficiently, resulting in serious pollution," Zhang added.

With the help of the provincial government and the State Grid, Madoi County became a clean energy pilot county in plateau areas last year.

All 13 coal-fired boilers in the urban area were taken out of service. and 33 electric boilers have been established.

"Coal-fired boilers polluted the air and the heating was not satisfactory. We haven't seen smog outside our homes and the temperature indoor is higher since we began to use electricity. The cost is the same as before," said Nyimakyi, a local resident.

Electric heating will expand to more areas, including farming and stockbreeding areas in the province, according to a three-year clean energy heating plan.