 The Brisbane Tramways Company, a private enterprise formed in 1895, introduced the first electric trams to Brisbane in 1897 after purchasing the early horse car system, converting it to electric operation and expanding and extending the routes.A power station to supply current to the electric trams was constructed in Countess Street in 1897.As the tramway system extended out into the suburbs, the Countess Street power station was unable to supply all the energy requirements.