New Delhi, July 1 -- The Centre is exploring the option of converting retired coal-based power plants to nuclear plants, said two people in the know of the developments.

The need for conversion arises due to the requirement of large land parcels for nuclear plants even as the government aims to install over 22 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032 and 100 GW by 2047 from the current 8.7 GW.

The government has already asked states to come up with plans to set up at least one nuclear plant each.

"The possibility of converting retired thermal plants is being looked at and talks are underway within the government for the same and (the matter) has been discussed in stakeholder consultations. These talks are in the initial stage and the feasibility...